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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
STEELE, William David - On July 30, 2009, two weeks after celebrating his 81st birthday, Bill passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, with family at his side. Bill is survived by his amazing and loving wife of 58 years, Elizabeth, (Betty). In his words, "One of the best things I ever did was marry your mother ". He will also be lovingly missed and remembered by his daughters, Laura (Sidney) and Julia (Comox), his grandchildren Jordan Steele (Ottawa) and Sarah and Christopher Eisler (Comox). He is also survived by his sisters Marge White (Qualicum Beach) and Joan Checholik (Edmonton), sisters-in-law Marie Steele (Calgary), Virginia Steele (Winfield), Barbara Waterfall-Delgado (Fortuna, California) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be eternally missed by family and friends and remembered as a loyal, loving and dependable man of high character and morals. He was the human definition of integrity who understood what was most important in life; his happiest moments being spent with family. A natural fighter and leader all of his life, he conquered many health battles over the last ten years with courage and dignity, holding the respect and admiration of all who came to know him. In his mind, there was no challenge too difficult, nor any obstacle that could not be overcome. Bill served honorably in the Royal Canadian Navy for 25 years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer, 2nd Class and a decorated Korean War veteran. He continued his federal service as a letter carrier and business agent for the Letter Carriers Union until his final retirement in 1987. Bill enjoyed curling and golfing at Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club, as well as forty years of trailering and spending summers at Saratoga Beach, and, he loved playing bridge with Mac and Val. Bill and Frank Sinatra had two things in common: "Blue eyes " and in the end, "I DID IT MY WAY ". Words cannot express the gratitude for the exceptional care received by Bill from an extremely wide range of health care professionals over the years. There will be no service (at his request), however a private gathering will take place at a later date. (The Victoria Times Colonist 06 Aug 2009)
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