January 13, 1937 - January 6, 2024
William "Bill" Climie of Davis Bay passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on January 6th, 2024, just shy of his 87th birthday.
Bill was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 55 years, Nancy Climie (née Chant). Bill was a proud father to their four adoring children, Colin (Miranda), Steven, Cheryl (Brian), and Graham (Tracey). The extra twinkle in his eyes was placed there by his six grandchildren, Neve, Reece, Avery, Sloane, Sarah, and Zoe. He enjoyed getting to know Aiden and Abby (deceased), as well.
Bill was the youngest son of Edwin and Edith Climie (deceased) of Vancouver, BC, and brother to Don Climie (deceased) of Nanaimo, B.C. Bill was a proud and avuncular uncle to numerous loving nieces and nephews who live throughout this beautiful country.
Bill grew up in Vancouver and attended Magee High School and then on to UBC, where he earned a Bachelor's of Commerce with a specialty in Marketing, while also serving as President of UBC Radio. University summers were spent as a Porter on the CP rail line between Vancouver and Calgary. He entertained the guests with his Dad jokes (long before becoming a Dad), as they wound their way through the majestic Rocky Mountains.
Bill and Nancy raised their four beautiful children in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, later returning to the glorious Sunshine Coast of British Columbia at retirement. A B.C. boy through and through, nothing could keep Bill from the spectacular mountains, the sparkling Pacific Ocean, and the beloved Sunshine Coast of his childhood summer vacations.
Bill had a remarkable career in sales and marketing with many leading companies in a variety of industries. He initiated changes in distribution at Esso, introduced "Big Box" home improvement stores to Canada with Beaver Lumber and pioneered cellular phone technology deployment and expansion in the Canadian market with Motorola and Bell. He expanded distribution for many small and medium-sized Canadian companies into Europe, the Americas and Asia, including Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Bill was an incredibly kind and generous person with a heart of gold, and a sense of humour to match. He loved travelling the world, with Nancy by his side. Favourite travel destinations included Hawaii, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and most recently, Perth, Ontario.
Bill was an active and generous member of the community with many cherished friendships that were made at St. John's United Church, the curling club (including as coach for the Special Olympics curling team), organizing Magee high school reunions, Book Club, and as part of the Boards of the Davis Bay Association, the Elder College, and as a Director for the Sechelt Hospital Foundation. He had numerous lifelong friendships that were firmly grounded in mutual trust, admiration, and an appreciation of a good happy hour.
Our heartfelt thanks to the incredible team at the Sechelt Hospital and Sechelt Hospital Foundation, as well as Jack, Sybil, Jane, and the numerous friends who have been taking the most amazing care of our dear Dad. Sechelt truly is a special, one-of-a-kind community. Like a tightly-knit herd of elephants, our strength lies in the unity of our support for one another.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sechelt Hospital Foundation, the Special Olympics B.C. - Sunshine Coast, or the charity of your choice.
"Even in the darkest moments of grief, let hope be the wings that lift your spirit, allowing you to rise above the pain like an eagle in flight."
Celebration of Life details to follow.
