William MacKay

September 15, 1932 - September 3, 2018
Manu Forti

A determined free spirit, artist, husband, father, and businessman Bill died in his 85th year on the morning of Monday September 3 at Senior's Village.

Born in Winnipeg Manitoba, Bill completed his public school education in Vancouver, and studied at the Vancouver Art School prior to training as a sign writer and beginning his career in the sign business. While living in the Grandview area of East Vancouver he met the young woman who later became his wife and business partner, Lillian Skrypec. They married in 1954 and had a son, William Michael (Mick) and a daughter Linda Jane. The family relocated to Portland Oregon in 1960 and lived in the USA for several years where Bill found employment at Ramsay Signs. In 1966 the family returned to Canada, moving to Williams Lake where Bill first established Mac Signs at his home shop on North Lakeside. He later moved the business into town to premises on Broadway Street, and finally to the building on Mackenzie Avenue where it was in operation until 2011.

An adventurer at heart, Bill was attracted to life in the Cariboo by the opportunity it provided to enjoy the outdoors activities that he loved, and his independent spirit found a true home here. He was a storyteller with a great sense of humour, and enjoyed an active social life with his friends and family.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Lillian in 2013, and is survived by his son Mick MacKay, daughter- in-law Remona MacKay, grand daughter Alix MacKay and her partner Andrew Strain, grandson Max MacKay, daughter Linda Mitchell, son-inlaw Skye Mitchell, grandsons Kyle Verhees, Brandon Verhees and his partner Jamie Desharnais, Cody Verhees and his partner Amanda Carter, as well as extended family on Vancouver Island, and in Scotland and Australia.

He will be sorely missed by his family and friends, held forever in our hearts, and the profound influence that he exerted on all of us will be celebrated each day.

The family would like to thank the staff at Senior's Village for the care and attention that they provided to Bill over his years with them.

A ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday September 22 in the Serenity Garden at the Williams Lake Cemetery, with a celebration of life to follow at 3:00 at the Coast Fraser Inn, 285 Donald Road. Friends and acquaintances in the community are welcome to attend.

Please contact Cariboo- Chilcotin Funeral Services at 250-392-3234 for further information. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bill's name to the Canadian Wildlife Federation would be appreciated.
Cariboo- Chilcotin Funeral Services