Sisler High School Alumni
Winnipeg, Manitoba (MB)
BILL (WILLIAM) ALAN DONALD RICKER Obituary (1951 - 2008)
Born Oct 01, 1951, BILL (WILLIAM) ALAN DONALD RICKER attended Sisler High School in Winnipeg, MB. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Bill (william) Alan Donald Ricker.
Graduation Year | Class of 1969 |
Date of Birth | Oct 01, 1951 |
Date of Passing | Jan 18, 2008 |
About | BILL (WILLIAM) ALAN DONALD RICKER October 1, 1951 - January 18, 2008 It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Bill Ricker, at St. Boniface Hospital on January 18, 2008. Bill was larger than life and his presence will be sorely missed. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 34 years Diane, children Chrissy (Curtis) Williamson and Billy (Pam) Ricker, mother-in-law Beryl Tumilson, sisters Pat Schweitzer and Susan Davill (Craig), brothers Bob and David, brothers-in-law Doug Tumilson and Gord (Anna) Tumilson, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, and the light of his life, his only grandchild Emma Williamson. Bill was predeceased by his parents Kathleen and Louis, infant brother Douglas, sister-in-law Virginia Tumilson and father-in-law Doug Tumilson Sr. Bill was born in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario, on October 1, 1951. Bill loved Thunder Bay, catching smelt in Lake Superior and riding his bike up and down the hills, going up to Mount Mckay, picnics at Boulevard Lake, picking berries for his Mom to make pies, and watching the ships in Lake Superior. Bill came to Winnipeg with his parents and siblings in 1965. He quickly made lifelong friends when his family settled in the North End. Throughout his teenage years Bill found his passion in working on cars, something that he did long into his adult life. In 1969, he met the love of his life, his soul mate Diane. They dated for five years and married on May 4, 1974. Bill and Diane had an inseparable bond and shared that until Bill's untimely passing. Diane was always supportive of Bill in his many endeavors because she knew that Bill was a self made man and needed to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams of having his own business. Bill drove truck for Jessimans and later owned his own trucks and became his own boss. You knew if you were a friend or a business associate, Bill would always be fair and generous with you. He always thought of others before himself. Bill had a true love for country music, old and new. He loved spending time out at Chesley's with all of his friends. As well, he loved going on casino trips but most of all he loved spending time with his family. Bill and Diane had two children, Chrissy and Billy. The four of them had great love for one another that only grew over the years. Long Sunday drives, summer vacations, eating dinner together every night after school and work (just to hear about one another's day), laughing and joking with one another held them together no matter what the situation might be. They knew that no matter what was going on in the world, that they always had each other. The family was blessed to have Curtis and Pam join them; Bill accepted both of them with open arms. Three and a half years ago Bill's life changed in the best possible way, by welcoming his granddaughter Emma into the family. June 14, 2004, was a day of new found joy for Bill; he was there when his precious goo-goo was born. He loved Emma sleeping over with him and Diane for the weekend, making pancakes for her in the morning and watching whatever Emma wanted to watch on TV. He cherished every moment with her; she melted his heart with every kiss and hug. A celebration of Bill's life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26 at Cropo Funeral Chapel (1442 Main Street) with reception to follow. A private family interment will take place later in the day. Flowers are gratefully declined, but you may make a donation to the Children's Wish Foundation (350 St. Mary Avenue, R3C 3J2) in Bill's honour. We will always love you and miss you forever Voo-Voo Grandpa CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044 As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2008 |
