Obituary of William Abbott

William “Bill”, beloved husband of Muriel, passed away peacefully at Royal University Hospital at the age of 89 years surrounded by his inseparable and devoted family.

He was a loving father to sons Craig William (deceased) and Greg William, and daughter Penny Gaylin (Alisauskas).   Bill was a kind-hearted father-in-law to Ray Alisauskas, and loving and proud grandfather to Penny and Ray’s children, Justin (Chenise Petit), Joseph (Isabelle Baconnais) and Andrea (Clay Raynard).  

He was a friend to so many who remember his sense of humour and gentle voice.  Bill was raised by parents Clement and Nora (Dennis), along with his sisters Phyllis and Roberta (deceased) and brother George on the farm near Radisson, SK.  

The family moved to 28th Street in Caswell Hill, Saskatoon, to spend the school year, returning to the farm during summers.  Bill attended Caswell Hill School, Bedford Road Collegiate and University of Saskatchewan.  He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1952.  

He met Muriel Smith, a young nurse and love of his life for the next 66 years, at a dance in Clear Lake, Manitoba. They married in London, Ontario, on 2 December 1953, and spent the following 3.5 years in England, France and Germany.  There, Bill served his country and NATO as a fighter pilot of F-86 Sabres with the Canadian 441 (Silver Fox) Fighter Squadron, attaining the rank of Captain.  After returning to Canada in 1956, he was a flight instructor with 2401 Squadron starting in Montreal and then stationed at various bases around Canada transitioning to helicopters.  The family moved to Saskatoon in 1977 after his military career.  Bill entered the helicopter industry as a pilot, instructor and business partner retiring in the 1990s, and then began his passions for proudly watching his grandchildren grow, and carefully tending to his farm on the river.  He continued to spend many hours in his shop where he repaired anything that needed fixing, especially the beautiful antiques that he so masterfully restored and valued.

We miss him very dearly!  

A memorial reception will be held at Edwards Family Centre, 333 4th Ave North, Saskatoon, at 1pm on 12 January, 2019.  Please consider donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers.