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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
KELLERMAN, Wilfred Henry John (Bill, Papa, Chief, Red) - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Papa Chief at the age of 94. He passed peacefully on October 6, 2022 in Surrey, BC surrounded by love. Bill was born on October 24, 1927, to the late Frank and Olga (Nee Jaster) Kellerman in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and spent his childhood years on the Saskatchewan prairies with his 8 siblings prior to joining the Royal Canadian Navy in 1946. By the time he retired from the Navy on October 19, 1974 he had served a total of 25 years 5 months during which time he served on the following ships; HMCS Charlottetown, Uganda, Athabaskan, Crusader, Porte Quebec, Warrior, Cayuga, Fraser, Cape Breton, Yukon, Rockliffe, Jonquiere, Oriole, Columbia, Cowichan and St Croix and the following shore establishments; HMCS Unicorn, Naden, Griffon, Cornwallis, Tecumseh and Royal Roads Military College. His travels during his Naval career took him to places such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan, China and Vietnam where his curious nature drew him in to the rich history and culture of everywhere he visited. Upon retiring from the Navy in 1974 Bill began his second career, this time as a deputy sheriff with the RCMP detachment in Cloverdale, BC where he was responsible for the guarding and escorting of inmates being held in custody, court security and the enforcement of court orders both of a criminal and civil nature. It was in 1949 while working for the Armed Forces and assisting with rescue efforts during major flooding that took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba that Bill met his future wife of 67 years, Corinne (Nee Willson). They were soon married in November of 1950 and went onto welcome three children Ty (Cindy) Kellerman, Dawn (Malcolm) Moscrop, and Kevin (Suzy) Kellerman. Those three children gave them 6 grandchildren; Trevor (Amy) Moscrop, Christa (Neal) Melancon, Lyndsay (Merlito) Salazar, Daniel Kellerman, Morgan Kellerman and Drew Kellerman. Those grandchildren then gave him 7 great grandchildren; Hunter, Hugo, Ryder, Wyatt, Ayla, Enzo and Ivy. All of whom love and miss him dearly. In January of 1988 Bill retired from his role as deputy sheriff and he and Corinne went on to spend many winters traveling in their fifth wheel to Arizona and Mexico with life long friends. Our papa loved his family and was an honest and truthful man up until his final day. He firmly believed that " a promise made is a debt unpaid", a quote he lived by. He loved a good drink of rum and was known for his ability to recite poetry he learned at Ironside school in the 30's (often these went hand in hand). His many quotes and "funnies" will surely not be forgotten and have already been passed on to the next generation. Having lived through the Great Depression he was, by necessity, a man of many talents and quirks. His ability to fashion and fix almost anything he could ever need proved to be a helpful skill throughout his life. The Moscrop family would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the staff at Elim Village (Lisa, Nikki and Claudine) who cared for and treated Chief with respect and dignity throughout his years there. He was truly loved by all that met him and although we feel lost without him we know he is where he wants to be, reunited in God's glory with his wife Corinne and daughter, Dawn. Rest in paradise, Papa Chief. Catholic funeral to be held on October 18th, 2022 at 11am at St. Bernadette's Parish in Surrey, BC. (The Vancouver Sun / The Province 14 Oct 2022)
Ships served in: HMCS YUKON - Served in YUKON in 1967 as a P2BN HMCS ST CROIX - Served in ST CROIX as a C2BN
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