Gordon William “Billie” Bitton
08/16/1922 – 08/30/2015
After a wonderfully long life, Gordon William “Billie” Bitton of Parksville, BC passed away at the Nanaimo, BC Palliative Care Unit with family by his side on Sunday, August 30.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Cleveland and Agnes Pearl Bitton of Listowel, Ontario; his sisters Gladys and Faye, his brothers Grant, Reginald and Bud.
He is survived by his bride and love of his life for70 years, Vera (Sue) Bitton and by children Lynda (John) of Parksville, BC; Dennis (Linda) of Winnipeg, MB; Bryan (Sue) of Guelph, ON and Katie (Ross) of Parksville, BC. Also by grandchildren Tammy Lynn Campbell (Chris), Michael Hamilton (Marcia), Christopher Bitton (Andria), Christy Odabasigil (Mehmet), Eric Bitton (Denise), Ryan Bitton (Caroline), Ian Bitton (Jenessa), Joyanna Martin (Rob), Andrew Bitton (Barb), and Amy Rolfe (Jeff) plus seventeen great-grandchildren. Bill is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mary and Verna.
Bill was born in Listowel on August 16, 1922 and after enlisting and serving in the Army (RCASC - 1CASSU) during WW2 spent many years with his wife Sue, whom he met and married in England, and their four children, living and working in Listowel. The family moved to Guelph in 1964 where they resided until 1989 when, after retirement and the kids had left home, and with a complete sense of adventure, they packed up and moved across the country to British Columbia. They never once regretted their move.
Family was very important to Bill. He was lovingly known as “Par” to his western grandchildren and great-grandchildren while those from the east knew him as “Opa” or Grandpa. Combining with relatives on Sue’s side of the family, special occasions, especially birthdays and anniversaries, sometimes made for quite large gatherings in Parksville.
Up until recently, Bill and Sue were active in the Grace United Church in Coombs, BC and later joined the St. Columba Presbyterian Church in Parksville.
Special thanks are offered to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital Palliative Care Unit. We would also like to especially thank all the caring people of Hospice Nanaimo for their wonderful work, kind words and thoughtful actions during Bill’s illness. As well, a thank you to Doctor Loughead and his staff in Parksville for their many years of care. To all those that visited Bill during his final days in the Hospital thank you and may God bless you.
A Celebration of Billie’s Life was held at St. Columba Presbyterian church, 921 Wembley Road, Parksville, BC on Monday, September 7th at 11:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that, if desired, a donation be made to Nanaimo Community Hospice Society.
“Day is done, gone the sun; From the lakes, from the hills,
from the sky; All is well, safely rest; God is nigh.”
To send a condolence to the family please visit
www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM
(250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.