William John Buckingham

Born August 26, 1955 in Big River to Art and Ruth Buckingham, Willy – as most of us know him – lived most of his 58 years in Big River, with a brief move to North Battleford and back when he was very young. He was raised in a close family – and often times – close quarters with 11 other siblings, so he grew up loving being surrounded by people.
Hockey and playing pool were his favorite past-times through his youth and carried on into playing with the ‘Braves’ and in later years the ‘Blues’ hockey club.
When he finished schooling in1974, Willy worked at various jobs before finding his niche in the forestry sector. He tried out the oil rigs, worked at Burns Meats in P.A., drove grader, and worked at the Big River sawmill. He even did a short stint as an electrician’s helper in the silver mines up in the Arctic in 1982 – followed by a year of University in Saskatoon studying Physical Education in 1983/84.
Willy entered into a brief marriage to Anna Toon from 1978 – 1982 and from that relationship was born a son: Giles Scott Buckingham – born April 19, 1978.
In 1980, Willy quit his job at the sawmill to enter treeplanting with the birth of the industry. This led to the startup of his own forestry company in 1984 – Roots Reforestation Inc. , which steadily expanded into other areas of forestry – such as surveys, brush thinning and road location.
Willy had another ambition in forestry – to start greenhouses and grow tree seedlings. The first greenhouse was built in 1988, and it, too, continued to expand. It was later sold out to partners.
Willy always had a love for the forest, which continued on even into his later years when he left the industry. He had often been heard to say how he missed his ‘walks in the bush’.
In 1986, Willy met his life mate and love, Lorie Lynn Thomson, in the planting fields of Meadow Lake. They were married in November, 1989 and he spent his last 28 years with her. To the delight of his son, Giles, two children were born to them – a brother and a sister for Giles – . Daniel William was born on April 1, 1990 and Jessamy Lynn on November 23, 1991.
Willy and Lorie bought a ‘home on the lake’ in Big River in 1992 and proceeded to raise their children there. They continued on in forestry together and made a move to Meadow Lake from 1997 – 2001 for an opportunity to diversify further in developing training programs. When this program was done, they returned to Big River and bought their ‘home on the lake’ back again from Willy’s brother and wife, Rob and Deb. They resumed their previous home, same mailing address and even their same phone number and settled back into Big River life again until 2007.
Willy was very active in the community and had many interests. He always felt a duty to do his part in volunteering for the community. He coached the Big River Braves from 1989 – 1991 and also coached his son Dan’s broomball team in 2007/2008. He served as a town councillor in Big River from 1994 to 1997. He also enjoyed many years of hunting with the ‘Halls Bay Boys’. He developed a passion for golfing and worked hard at mastering the game and strived to beat his personal best – and his brothers, Rob and Kent! Willy was always eager to put in time at the Big River Golf Course work bees. Winter evenings were busy trading and counting points in his hockey drafts – which he took very seriously. House renovations – Willy was just as eager as Lorie in planning and implementing and became quite skilled with tools.
Cards were another favorite – you would often hear him say “Let’s get out the cards!” His competitiveness carried through into his card-playing. Willy couldn’t remember a phone number, but he could remember every card played in a game of ‘chase the tens’!
Willy and Lorie did some travelling through the years … they spent 2 months touring Mexico before their children came along. They flew their children down to Disneyland and to Mexico – And more recently, Willy and Lorie did a combination trip down to Palm Springs, Phoenix and onto Costa Rica. They did lots of driving, exploring and just enjoying each other’s company. In March of this year, they travelled to Hawaii with son Giles, Carla and Tristan and met up with other siblings there.
Willy and Lorie shared an entrepreneurial spirit and tried many different business ventures through the years. They briefly tried their hand at elk farming along with other family members. They also leased the nursery lands to try poplar field planting for a summer. But with the downturn of forestry in 2006, Willy and Lorie made the decision for change and moved their family down to Swift Current – keeping a small home back in Big River where they could return to in the summers. They moved into the oil and gas sector. After doing a half day course in operating mobile boilers, Willy struck out for the oil patch in Alberta to learn the business before purchasing their own trucks and starting a new company called Rootsinc Oil & Services Ltd. While all of this was happening, Willy was offered a contracting position with Encana supervising northern crews – which he did not want to turn down – it sent Willy and Lorie into 2 very busy years, while trying to phase out of forestry completely, establish the boiler company they’d just started and continue on with his contracting. They had also taken an interest in real estate investing and purchased their first revenue property. They put on many, many miles over these years.
In January, 2011, Willy was offered a permanent full time job with Cenovus Energy as a supervisor for Infrastructure and Support Services – which required a relocation to Cold Lake. By this stage of life, both him and Lorie were ready for the move into a secure job with a steady paycheque – ready to slow down the pace. This was to be the last step before retirement.
This summer they had plane tickets purchased to go property hunting in the states – but with the sudden news of Willy’s cancer diagnosis, these tickets were quickly traded for tickets to Mexico where he underwent chelation and immunotherapy in preparation for the aggressive chemo treatments he would soon be facing back in Canada.
The plans for retirement – which had been so close in sight – travelling and spending time with their expanding family of children and grandchildren, – was not to be. Life threw them an unexpected curve and Willy was confronted with an aggressive cancer, which he fought with all he had to the bitter end. He fought with ‘heart’ and ‘competitiveness’ – and we all were confident that he could win.
He passed away December 9th, 2013.
He will be missed by so many and loved always.

Willy was a person of integrity and generosity … generosity almost to a point where it was difficult for him to be a businessman. It has been said that he would give the shirt off of his back – and he has been seen to do that.
He had heart – in everything he tackled – which drove him to be competitive and excel in any sports or games he participated in.

He was sociable – a ‘people-person’ . . . he was never afraid to grab a person’s hand in a handshake and look them in the eye. He left an impression wherever he went and was well remembered.
He was appreciative …. even of the smallest tokens and gestures shown towards him.. . and could give little things that would mean so much just because of the genuine intentions that went with them.
He had an abundance of energy …. most of us would get tired just watching him.
He was a man of nature … he loved the lakes and the forest. Him and Lorie were constantly on the hunt for that perfect lakefront property to build their retirement home.
He was family-minded . . . their brothers, sisters and their spouses were his best friends and he loved all of the family gatherings and times with them – the laughs, the card playing, the reminiscing, the huge meals his Mother, Ruth, was always so ready to prepare.
He was full of fun …. Usually the last to leave parties! Willy also delighted in teasing the nieces and nephews and had nicknames for a few. The little ones all loved their ‘silly uncle willy’ and followed him around like he was the ‘pied piper’!
He was a very devoted father ….. his children – they were everything to him. He often said “it’s all about the kids now.” He willingly spent time teaching them things – how to swim, skate, ski. … he was always interested in what they were doing, so proud of each of them and their accomplishments – and was delighted in their choice of partners. The kids – by far – were the favorite topic over his and Lorie’s morning coffee’s! And with the latest addition of two little grandsons, Madden and Tristan, those morning coffee conversations became even more meaningful – talking about their newest words, how they were growing, and changing.
He was a wonderful husband. There was never a dull moment and their marriage survived many, many challenges. Lorie recounts how supportive Willy always was of her accomplishments – How they grew together over the years in common purpose, bond and love – And How he expressed the desire to grow old together.
She will miss those morning coffees with him . . .
A Celebration of Life was held for William on Saturday, December 14th, 2013 from the Big River Community Hall.
Memorial Donations can be made in William’s honor to the Big River Golf Course. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com The family has entrusted arrangements to Ed Beaulac of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home Spiritwood, 306-883-3500

• Date : 2013-12-09 06:00:00