William (Bill) Francis Brownrigg

Bill was born in Winnipeg, to Gerry and Rose (Lye) and over the course of his life called four Canadian provinces home — though British Columbia was where his heart truly unpacked its bags and stayed awhile. There he met and married Laurie, his wife of 62 years, and together they built a life full of family, laughter, and spirited opinions. They spent their later years in Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, where Bill happily embraced retirement with coastal views.

Bill leaves behind Laurie and their three children, Bob, Jeff (Lorraine), and Michelle, along with grandchildren Kyra, Solah, Thomas, and Marley, all of whom carry his memory and his humour. He joins his mother and father, and is survived by brothers Gerry and Mike, and sister Kathy.

Bill always had dogs in his life and poor Riley is missing him dearly.

During a career spanning three decades with Goodyear Canada, Bill travelled countless miles as a much-respected sales and marketing executive.

Family road trips to visit extended family became legendary: departures occurred at dawn whether anyone was ready or not, arrival times were treated like Olympic qualifying standards, and the soundtrack rarely strayed far from a faithful rotation of well-worn cassettes. Weather conditions were occasionally terrifying, but according to Bill, “we’re making good time.”

Competitive by nature and athletic in spirit, Bill excelled in track & field and football as a teenager, later turning his energy toward soccer, fastball, racquetball, and golf. On the golf course he became known for both his quick wit and equally quick temper. Some playing partners may remember having to sidestep the occasional airborne club, usually followed by a perfectly timed one-liner that made it difficult to stay annoyed for long.

Bill was happiest in his 20+ years of retirement on the Sunshine Coast with Laurie.

He passed peacefully after living with cancer in recent months. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the BC Cancer Foundation, the Palliative Care Team at Vancouver Coastal Health, and Dr. Lindenberg, all of whom supported Bill with grace and committed care.

A small celebration of life will be held for family later this summer.

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