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William MICKEY

July 16, 2004

MICKEY William Wallace Mickey, October 9, 1912-July 12, 2004.

Mr. William Wallace Mickey of Rimbey, Alberta passed away in the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre on Monday July 12, 2004 at the age of 91 years.

Bill's father, Oliver Perry Mickey with his wife Hannah McMillan, arrived in Canada in 1902 and settled on a homestead near Springdale. Bill was born on this homestead at Springdale to a family of 8 children, 1 sister and 6 brothers. Bill was the fourth born and received his schooling at Springdale, Crystal Springs and Montgreenan until Grade 4. He completed his schooling in Nebraska. In 1930 he was working for Fred Plank when he met Cecelia Marchildon who was also working at the Plank farm. They were married in 1935 and then both worked for Jerome Donnelly for the next two years. During their marriage six children were born. They moved to the Blindman District in the spring of 1940 where they rented a half section of land from Jesse Lloyd. They lived there until 1941. In 1944 they bought the Mel Sheppard half section and went from horses to tractor and from threshing machine to combine in the 50's. During his farming career he grew grain, raised hogs and cattle and in 1946 began raising pure bred Herefords. In 1949, he formed a partnership in this endeavour, with Jack Beatty (who was a partner in the local hardware store) and this lasted until 1956 when Jack died. Bill continued raising Herefords until 1966 when the herd was dispersed. From then until 1975 he carried on a feeder operation. In 1975 he sold the "Sheppard Place" and purchased an acreage 2 miles north of Rimbey. In 1990 he held an auction sale, sold the acreage, and moved into a senior's complex at Rimbey which he sold in the year 2000. The final move was to the Rimbey Manor where he resided until his death. During his lifetime, Bill was active in the Lions Club in the 50's and served on such boards as the Hog Pool, Agricultural Society, the Ponoka Service Board for 14 years and was Past President of the Home & School Association and Past President of the Bentley Seed Cleaning Plant. Bill is survived by his wife of 69 years, Cecelia, two daughters, Judy at Prince George, B.C., and Anne at Monaco, three sons, Tom (Mary) at Whitehorse, Yukon, Pat (Lorraine) at Quatsino, B.C. and Keith at Calgary. In addition he is survived by 15 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by one daughter, Catherine in 1997, his sister Myrtle, and six brothers Frank, Perry, LeRoy, Clayton, Calvin and Bernard. Funeral services will be held from the Rimbey United Church on Saturday July 17, 2004 at 11:00 am with Reverend Glen Simmonds officiating. If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, PO Box 440 Rimbey, Alberta TOC 2J0 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, # 101, 5208 - 53rd Ave. Red Deer, Alberta T4N 5K2. In memory of the late Mr. Bill Mickey, a donation will be made to the Rimbey Hospital Bed Project. A lasting memorial presented by Wilson's Funeral Chapel.

WILSON'S FUNERAL CHAPEL serving Central Alberta with locations in Rimbey and Lacombe in charge of the arrangements.

(403) 843-3388 or

(403) 782-3366.