William (Bill) John Rawlings passed away peacefully February 2, at age 85 at the Chilliwack General Hospital. He will be greatly missed by his wife Kathleen, daughters Victoria and Patricia and son Gary. He is survived by a brother Douglas. He was much loved by his grandchildren Mark Rowat and Dana Fetterly, Ryan and Chad Larson and Derek Beaulieu and their families. His two great grandchildren Brennan and Sydney Fetterly were very fortunate to have been part of his life. He will be remembered by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother Robert and sister Eleanor. Bill will be missed by many friends and acquaintances in the Rainbow Estates where he spent many years walking, riding a bicycle and tending the gardens.
Bill was born in Edmonton May 19, 1921. He joined the Navy Reserves at age 18, and from there joined up with the Royal Canadian Navy in Sept. 1939 and served as a leading seaman and coxin on the corvette H.M.C.S. Battleford and #53 and #120 Fairmiles Ships. He married Kathleen in Halifax in 1944 and remained in the navy until 1945.
He worked with the Liquor Control Board in Vancouver, then moved to Chilliwack continuing with LCB. Moved to Courtenay as manager and retired in 1984 after 33 1/2 years. They happily moved back to Chilliwack upon retirement where they made Rainbow Estates their home.
No service by request, but a gathering will be held at the clubhouse at Rainbow Estates, 9055 Ashwell Rd. on Saturday Feb. 17, from 2 - 4 PM. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
A very special thanks to Dr. Vanderwatt and to the great staff on the 3rd and 4th floors of Chilliwack Hospital who took such good care of Bill while he was a patient there. Arrangements in care of McLean’s Funeral Services Ltd.