William Rudolph Cross

Born March 28, 1926 to Mathilda and Edward Cross at Aberdeen, third child and oldest boy.

Bill leaves to mourn his wife, Georgina, his children Pat, Brian (Kathy), Donald (Cathy), Blair (Mary-Lynn), Wendy (Dale) Jacobson, Lorri (Steve) Ackerman, Robert (Cari), Bev (Jeff) Willick, Stacey (Gary Fraser), and Eric (Laura-Lee), daughters-in-law Linda and Susan, and 28 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, a brother Abe (Beulah), and two sisters Elma Pitts and Anne (Don) Lavoie, and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased by his parents Mathilda and Edward, his siblings Herb, James, Albert, Art, Mary, Lorraine and 2 in infancy, his two sons, Reg and Rick, and several in-laws.

Bill moved to Spiritwood from Aberdeen with his parents in the early 1930’s.  They homesteaded just south of the current town of Spiritwood, where his brother Abe eventually took over the family farm. 

When Bill was 16 he followed in his older half-brothers steps and joined the navy. He trained in Victoria but the war ended soon after his enlistment. He moved back to Spiritwood a few years later where met and married Georgina in 1950.  They settled in Spiritwood, where Georgina worked as a nurse and Bill started out as a farm labourer.  Over the years, Bill worked at many jobs, and owned several businesses including a Lucky Dollar Store, a road construction business, and a pulp and logging company.  His love of the outdoors was always drawing him to jobs that allowed him to work outdoors.

One of Bill’s true passions was horses.  His horse, Tom, was his best friend in his golden years, and Bill would drive out to Wayne and Mavis Bellisles’, and then later to Rempel’s, to spend many afternoons with his horse. 

After several strokes and accidents, Bill found many ways to get things done when he wanted.  With the help of many friends, and the businesses that were always willing to provide drive-up or drive-thru services for him, he was able to accomplish anything he really wanted to do.  The family would like to thank all of those who provided that help to him through the years. 

Tinkering in his shop daily, Bill loved to fix machinery with the help of several of his friends.  The shop just north of town was a sanctuary for him, and he loved to have others come and help him with his projects.

Bill moved into the Spiritwood & District Health Complex in 2011, where he lived until he passed away on October 31, 2015.  While he considered it “jail,” the staff there took great care of him and some helped him to go out to his shop until just a couple of weeks before he passed away. 

At Bill’s request, there will be no memorial service.  Family friends who wish to pay their respects to the family are welcome to drop in at the Pioneer Centre on Saturday, November 7 between 2 & 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Saskatchewan Children’s Hospital.

Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences to the family are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.   Bill’s family has entrusted arrangements to Lori Saam of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Spiritwood, SK 306-883-3500

• Date : 2015-10-31