WILLIAMS, Arthur Aston Born in Widnes, England on September 21, 1921 Passed away peacefully at Trillium Lodge March 22, 2004. It is with sadness we announce the passing of Our Dad, brother, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend Arthur Aston Williams who left us to join Mom, March 22, 2004. He married his childhood sweetheart Irene (Rene) Whatman, June 6, 1942 and they were happily married for over 53 years until her passing in April of 1996. Dad was with the RAF in WW2 and after leaving the Air Force they immigrated to Canada in 1947 residing in North Wellington. They bought a small hobby farm in the Jinglepot Road area and raised their 2 children, Barb and Ken. Art worked for the Blackball ferry for a time and then District #68 School Board as the janitor for Mount Benson Elementary School for over 25 years until poor health forced him to retire. Art enjoyed hunting, fishing, nature and singsongs around the piano accompanied by wife Rene and their many friends. He loved to laugh and knew how to enjoy life and his sense of humor was boundless. He could spend hours puttering around his small farm and tending to his animals. All loved his sense of humor and wit and twinkling blue eyes and infectious smile. He was a wonderful father and devoted husband. You could count on Art for any help, whether it was helping out Girl Guides, Minor Baseball, entertaining, or Santa. He was there. He supported his family in all their endeavors. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 40 years belonging to Branch #256 in Nanaimo and when he moved to Trillium Lodge in Parksville in 1996 transferred to Branch #49. He will be sadly missed by his daughter Barb (Rick) Foster of Parksville, son Ken Williams of Salt Spring Island and sister Margaret (Brian) in England. His 4 grandchildren, Jennifer, of New Westminster, James (Jennifer), of Calgary, Mason (Thea), of Nanaimo, Melissa (Cliff) of Nanaimo, 2 great-grandchildren Grace and Breanna and many nieces and nephews in England. The family would like to thank the staff at Trillium Lodge for their loving and thoughtful care of Dad in his last years. Your gentle and caring ways of helping Art allowed him to keep his dignity until the end. You all were a wonderful extended family to Dad and us. Your kind and special touches in his last days will never be forgotten. Thank you all so much. Respecting Dad's wishes there will be no formal service. Dad's ashes will be laid to rest at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens beside his beloved wife Rene and a celebration of his life will be held later in the spring. If you wish to do so, donations may be made to the Trillium Lodge Garden Project. Trillium Lodge, 401 Moilliet St., Box 940, Parksville, BC, V9P 2G9, or to the charity of your choice. God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be So He put His arms around you and whispered,"Come to Me" With tearful eyes we watched you suffer and saw you fade away Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating. Hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. (Author Unknown) We will miss you Dad, rest in peace