October 13, 1937 - January 8, 2021
We are heartbroken to announce the passing on January 8, 2021 of Bill McPhee of Red Deer, AB. He was born on October 13, 1937 to Neil John and Huldah (Snider) McPhee and was raised on the family homestead in Pine Lake.
He attended Red Deer College, after which he married and eventually settled in Olds to raise his family, where he worked his way up to being the town manager. He lived in Whitecourt from 1978 to 1994 where he was ultimately the Director of Economic Development, after which he lived in Beaverlodge and Grande Prairie. In 2000 he moved back to the homestead and remained there or in the area until his passing - other than when he was visiting family in Ontario.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Francine, and his children Neil (Denia) McPhee, Marty (Lorraine) McPhee, Dan (Sheila) McPhee, Darryl (Tammy) McPhee, and Karen (Murray) Lawrence. Grandpa Bill is survived by his grandchildren Andrew (Bonnie), Kieran (Amanda), Cayden, Lia, Darren (Crystal), Jayson (Jacqueline), Christie (Paul), Eric, William, Bethany (Nicholas), Korey, Jordan, Jeremy (Lanna), Logan (Erin), Michael, Kayla (Jeff), Cassandra, Noah, Kristin, and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Bill is also survived by his stepchildren Lyne (Dave) Metz, Al (Laurie) Brisebois, Steve (Celine) Brisebois, and Chantel (Larry) Bouyers. He was Papa Bill to Nicole, Michelle, Sabrina, Mindy, Amanda (Sammy), Cole, Stephanie, Jennifer (Steve), and Vicki as well as to seven great-grandchildren.
Bill leaves behind sisters Gail Johnston, Carol Lundgren (Gary Prior), and Barb Blanchette.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister Maxine (Fred) Brautigam, brother Norm (Margie) McPhee, and brothers-in-law Stew Johnston and Tom Blanchette.
Dad was a man of infinite energy. He was always building or fixing something and he always had time for a friend or family member.
If you were building a shop or fence, if you were trying to get an old car to run, if you were an old friend that needed a companion to drive nonstop from the Alaska panhandle to the Yukon, or if you were a grandson who wanted Gramps to ride with you and the team (all the way to BC) on your junior hockey team's bus - Dad not only was there, he wanted to be there and he loved every minute.
Dad spent a lifetime making friends and he could make friends with anyone, equally at ease in the realm of politics and business as he was on the farm, he had absolutely no pretense about him and everyone who knew him truly felt special for being a part of his life. It could sometimes be hard loving someone that so many other people also loved and, even though he rarely said the words, knowing that he truly loved everyone right back.
Dad was one of those special people that understood that the human heart's ability to love is unlimited, that he loved someone else didn't mean he had less love for you, it meant he had more. He didn't live his life the way he did because he learned to live it that way; there were no classes, no coaching - nothing premeditated about his wonderful demeanor, Dad was just who he was and everyone loved him for it. Love was very much the source of his energy and as special as it made us all feel, it made him all the more special and now, missed so very much.
There will be no funeral at Bill's request. A memorial service will be held at a later date when circumstances allow. If desired, memorial donations in Bill's honor may be made directly to the Kids With Cancer Society at https://kwc.akaraisin.com/ui/kwcsgeneral/donations/start and select 'Give in Memory'.
Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com
Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium