William “Bill” Palleson
It is great sadness the family announces the passing of their beloved husband, father,
grandfather and friend. Bill passed away
suddenly of natural causes in Houston, BC
while on a fly fishing trip.
Bill was born in New West Hospital on October 26, 1945. He held the record for being the longest baby at 21” for many years. Perhaps this was where he got his start to excel in most all aspects of his life.
His Father taught him how to fish and encouraged him to run his own boat at the age of 16. Bill took on the challenge and became a west coast legend along with his father, Harold leading the way to a very successful halibut career. He fished herring for many years, trolled and gill netted for salmon. Bill ended his career involved in halibut, tuna and prawns.
His next passion was sports and fly fishing, spending many years fishing on the Pitt River with his friends. One of his very favorite spots to fish
in the vast expanse of beauty we call BC was the Maurice River. He enjoyed going up there every year and had different trips with his fishing buddies and his daughter, Lisa joined him on one of his infamous fishing trips up there.
He taught his grandson, Jacob to tie flies and took him and his son in law on a few fishing trips. His last two successful trips were to the Eve River where he, Josey, and their two dogs caught the limit every day.
Another major love for Bill was golfing. Josey and Bill spent their snowbird years in Palm Springs enjoying time golfing and visits with family and friends. He went to many Men’s Nights and tournaments over the years with his golfing buddies.
Another passion for Bill was ski racing and for many years he raced and
won many medals. He even skied with Nancy Greene and was
definitely Olympic material. The skiing took a different route and became something the family enjoyed for many years after his children and grandchildren developed his love for the sport. There were also many family holidays in Hawaii, Disneyland, and interior of BC.
Bill’s eight grandchildren thought he was an adventurer as he could do almost anything he set his mind to from flying a plane with Ben, to playing soccer with Joel and Luke. He taught Maya how to use a yoyo. Great times were had
with Jacob, Mila, William, and Thomas on the occasions they came down to Mexico. Grandpa enjoyed playing Ping-Pong with his grandchildren.
Bill had so many talents. He loved flowers and his garden was show quality and often including in garden tours. When they built their dream home on Qualicum Beach he again made a garden that boasted the biggest lilies as well as flowering trees shrubs and flowers people had never even seen before.
Another great love of Bill’s was Christmas and his amazing talent to turn their Sunningdale home into a winter wonderland. The beautiful pool bed he built for his wife was envied by all who saw it. Saying that Bill was “A man of many talents and skills” just doesn’t do him justice. He died doing what he loved - fishing the Maurice with his faithful companion, Breaker.
He will be missed by his loving wife of 47 years. Josey; his daughters, Lisa, and Deana and son-in-law,Toby; grandchildren, Joel, Luke, Jacob, Ben, Mila, Maya, William, and Thomas; father, Harold and wife; stepsister; aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear, dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Bill’s honour on Saturday, November 8th at 1:00 pm at the Thalassa Restaurant at the Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course, 469 Memorial Avenue in Qualicum Beach.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honouring Bill’s memory by making a donation in his name to the Heart & Stroke Foundation Parksville Qualicum Beach, PO Box 730, Parksville, BC V9P 2G8.
He will forever be in our hearts never to be forgotten.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM
(250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.