Bill Leverett
July 4, 1926 – July 24, 2015
On Friday July 24, 2015, Mr. William Anthony (Bill) Leverett of Oliver passed away peacefully at the South Okanagan General Hospital at the age of 89 years.
Bill was predeceased by his mother Gladys; father William; stepfather Stanley and brother Harold.
He will be fondly remembered by his loving family including spouse Shirley; daughter Toni (Peter King) and grandchildren Riley, Eliza and Kayla of Bowen Island; son Bill (Terri) and grandchildren Caitlin and Conner of Mill Bay; sister Mae Petersen of Abbotsford as well as many nieces and nephews.
Bill was born July 4, 1926 in Burns Lake, BC and moved shortly thereafter to Prince Rupert. He grew up there and graduated from Booth Memorial High School in 1944.
He enlisted in the Canadian Army on April 30, 1945 and completed his basic training. Just prior to deployment “the enemy heard he was coming over and agreed to an armistice.”
Bill’s postal career began in October 1945 in Prince Rupert with three years as a postal clerk, followed by eight years in the Railway Mail Service as the clerk in charge. In February 1957, he transferred to Kitimat, BC as a Postal Officer 1. In September 1960, he took over duties as a Postal Officer 2 in Whitehorse, Yukon. In 1963, he was promoted to Postmaster. One year later, on April 1, 1964, the family moved to Oliver where he became the Postmaster. He had the honour of raising the new Canadian flag at the post office in 1965. There are many work stories that could be told until he eventually retired in July 1981 – an illustrious thirty six year career.
Bill’s community service included involvement in the Search & Rescue, Cubs, Kiwanis and the Royal Canadian Legion. He was extremely proud of his part serving as President as the first Kiwanis Village was developed and built. He was actively involved in the Legion and was honoured to be awarded the Lifetime Membership in May 2010 for his dedicated and outstanding service. When Bill was asked who his heroes were he responded “my many school chums that never came home from the war.”
Bill’s hobbies included camping, fishing and First Nations art in many forms. He had a particular love of Haida Gwaii related pieces.
He was known for his radiant smile and quick wit. In June 2011, he was the “Smile of the Week” in the Oliver Chronicle. Even as his health declined, he could be seen around Oliver on his scooter, going to all the garage sales, socializing and meeting up with his friends. He always had a kind word and a smile for everybody.
His family would like to thank Dr. Peter Entwistle, the nursing staff at the South Okanagan General Hospital and John Nunes and Daryn Pottinger for their kind and compassionate care.
No formal service by his request. A private family scattering of ashes will be held at the Oliver Municipal Cemetery Scattering Garden.