We Remember
BENNETT, William Richards
April 14, 1932 — December 3, 2015
Survived by his loving wife of 60 years Audrey, brother Russell, four sons Brad (Birgit), Kevin (Leah), Stephen (Shayna) and Greg (Connie), eight grandchildren Michael, Carmen, Jarrett, Makena, Lyndon, Corey, Reece, David and one great grandchild Solomon.
Pre-deceased by parents W.A.C and May Bennett and sister Anita Tozer.
Born, raised and living his entire life in Kelowna, B.C., Bill was in business with his brother R.J. for many years, first managing three Bennett’s Hardware Furniture and Appliance stores in the Okanagan for their father W.A.C, who had entered politics, becoming Premier of B.C. for 20 years from 1952 to 1972. Bill and R.J. continued their partnership, adding to the retail chain of stores along with many real estate ventures until after Bill entered politics where he, like his father, also served as Premier of B.C., governing for 11 years from 1975 to 1986. Bill was competitive in all aspects of his life, whether in business, politics or the game he loved most, tennis. He was also known for his quick wit and great sense of humour. He loved and cherished time with his family and close friends and will be greatly missed. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 2:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom at the Grand Hotel, 1310 Water Street, Kelowna, BC.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society, Suite 307 -1664 Richter Street, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 8N3. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
A celebration of life will be held January 31, 2016 from 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Location
Delta Grand Okanagan Hotel
Share with Others:
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Bill's memory to the Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society, Suite 307 -1664 Richter Street, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 8N3. Link: www.alzheimer.ca/en/bc/Alzheimer-resource-centres/Okanagan-Kootenay
Service Information
Service Details
The service for BENNETT, William Richards is scheduled for A celebration of life will be held January 31, 2016 from 2:00pm - 6:00pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Delta Grand Okanagan Hotel
1310 Water Street Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
My deepest condolences to the family.
Mr. Bennett was an amazing individual whom I had the pleasure of meeting many times.
He did so much for our province and for the people and will be greatly missed.
May your fond memories help you through this difficult time.
Regards,
Katja Oldendorf
Audrey and family….I just heard of Bill’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family. He is at peace now. Bill was a legend and British Columbia can be proud of his accomplishments….they put us on the map!! My memories of you and Bill go back to high school days and, of course, the summers that only Kelowna in the early days gave us. I treasure those times, and over the years have always felt proud that I knew you both. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort .
Brad and Birgit and family, our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family at the difficult time.
Hugs and condolences,
Anne and the Affleck boys
I was so sad to hear of Bill Bennett’s passing. He was an awesome fellow and served British Columbia incredibly! I do believe when we leave life on earth that we move forward in another experience and hope it is awesome! My thoughts and wishes are to his family, wife, children & grandchildren hoping that they will be at peace. I understand as I lost my father quite some time ago and I miss him. My father, James R. Chabot, worked with Bill Bennett and the Social Credite Government which was wonderful. RIP Bill and thank you for all your contributions to our wonderful province.
Linda Chabot
What an honour and privilege to work for Premier Bill Bennett as a writer in his office in the 1980’s. He took the time to talk to his small handful of staff individually as he moved from office to office and always shared a story and a smile. His accomplishments were plentiful and amazing and it was an exciting day when he drove the Coquihalla for the first time and opened Expo 86. I feel very, very fortunate to have worked for such a great leader and builder of this province.. R.I.P. Premier.
Dear Audrey and family:
I am deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of your husband, Bill. Mel, my late husband, served from 1960 – 1992 as Advisors – first to WAC Bennett and Bill, as his Deputy Minister on Constitutional Reform and Federal Provincial Relations.
They worked together tirelessly through the 80’s on Constitutional Reform for Canada. Bill was in our home on two occasions for government parties I hosted. I also enjoyed the opportunity to meet you on occasion at high level conferences throughout the years, Audrey.
I extend my deepest sympathy to the Bennett family.
Sincerely, Beverley Smith, Victoria, BC
Brad and family:
Jim and I are saddened to hear of the passing of your father. He was a great premier and a very nice man! Darlene and jim
To the Bennett family: Our thoughts are with you…..May god rest his soul in peace……..
Bill was a great friend to our father Patrick, mother Liz and an inspiration to all of us……He made significant and permanent contributions to the growth and well being of all British Columbians and to Canadians…..And we should should all be grateful for his dedication to public service…….Patrick, Liz, Brian, Robert, Jane & David Curell
Dear Audrey, Russell, Brad and Birgit, Kevin and Leah, Stephen and Shayna, Greg and Connie, Michael, Carmen, Jarrett, Makena, Lyndon, Corey, Reece, David and Solomon,…
My sincerest condolences and deepest sympathies to each of you. Thoughts of and for each of you, are in my heart and on my mind. May you find some comfort in knowing….. You are in my prayers, that our City, the Province of BC, our Great Nation of Canada and our World is a substantially better place to live as a result of Bill and all that he gave for countless. His heart, to sacrificially and endlessly give, for the sake of others and the greater good of all, will NEVER be forgotten. His countless legacies have had and continue to have an incredibly positive impact in all our lives.
Bill was a man of tremendous integrity, high ethics, morals. He was man of Honour and of great character. I was blessed to grow up under the example of Bills shining light on how to lead, conduct and carry oneself.
In every way, I am a better man for not only having known Bill, but also for all those he surrounded himself with. Those who held the same values, brought together as a cabinet, a team a family, for the sole purpose to make and create all that we have today in the great Province of British Columbia. I owe a great deal of who I am, what I have been able to accomplish in my life and the life of others because of Bill.
Bill Bennett is a Hero to whom I will always feel indebted.
I feel it’s important to honour each of you by reminding you……… And the world….. All of what he was able to accomplish, could only have happened as a result of Bill having a family as beautiful, as loving, as committed, as supportive to him (and to each other), as yours. To that end… I say a HUGE thank you to each of you, from the bottom of my heart, …….. for ALL your sacrifices and ALL your support that backed him with over the span of his career. Please know, and always keep in the depths of your hearts, that you are also very loved and very much appreciated.
Bill will forever hold and softly, tenderly, gently, quietly and lovingly tug at our heart strings. He will FOREVER remain in our hearts, our decisions and choices, He will never be forgotten.
Warm sincere genuine authentic love to all of you.
Respectfully,
Stephen James Braybrooke
White Rock, British Columbia
My deepest sympathies to Audrey and the family on the loss of a great man whom I had the honour of serving
Bill Bennett, a visionary and proud British Columbian, has left us. We are forever indebted to the great legacy he left behind. He was a man of vision, principle, determination and decency. We are blessed to have had him as our Premier. May he rest in peace. My condolences to all of his loved ones.
Respectfully,
John Les
Chilliwack
Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Bennett and family. I had the honour and privilege of working in Premier Bill Bennett’s office, 1981-1986. There aren’t enough words to describe this wonderful gentleman. Rest In Peace, Premier.
Brad, Birgit , Audrey and family.
I always loved talking to Bill.
He was a humble, genuine man who was a builder of ideas and dreams. The last few years were tough. I know he loved you all very much.
Hugs to you all.
Kathleen (McFadden) Heffernan and family
To dear Audrey, Brad, Birgit and family,
Steve and I were so sad to hear of Bill’s passing.- He was a truly wonderful human being who gave his “all” to this Province! His marvellous, wry sense of humour will be remembered with joy, the times spent with him will be celebrated as long as we are still here! Please accept our love and best wishes as you grieve the loss of this special man. One of the great leaders of our time. Valerie and Steve Vrlak.
He, only in a general honest thought, and common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, “This was a man”.
William Shakespeare
Rest in peace dear friend. Wishing comfort and peace for the family…Audrey and “the boys” and all the many others who have admired and loved him.
Mickey Patryluk
Dec 04, 2015
Dear RJ Bennett,
Heartfelt condolences and love on the loss of your little brother.
From old family friend,
Katie Drysdale
Vancouver, BC
The Right Honorable Bill Bennett, a proud British Columbian, We are forever indebted to the great legacy he left behind. We are blessed to have had him as our Premier. My Thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Respectfully -The Baker Family of Grand Forks BC
Audrey,
We were so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. We have such fond memories of Bill and Norm, especially, of their tennis games together in the late 60’s & early 70’s. He was always a gentleman and so loved and respected by all. Our deepest sympathy to you and your beautiful family!!! Sharon & Norm Leslie
Audrey
Sorry, I wanted this picture included in the above condolence.
Love, Sharon
Brad, Birgit, and family. My condolences on the passing of your Dad Brad.
My deepest sympathies to the Bennett Family, as Premier he left the Province a much better place because of his vision for the Province he loved so much. Getting to know him during the many attempted trips(only weather being the problem) to parts of the province that the Cessna 337 could reach was something I will be remembered for ever.
Thank You Premier Bennett!
Chester Glendenning
My Condolences and prayers go out to the whole family
It was an honour to have attended a garden party in Victoria; when I was in a line-up to shake Premier Bennett’s hand and I thought what a pleasant and kind man he is.
Diana G. Bennett
Our sincere condolences to the Bennett family. Well wishes to you all during this time.
Steve Shayna and Boys ; Kevin and Lea.
Our deepest sympathie for your great loss .Our hearts are heavy for you all .May you find comfort in that all off you are surrounded with love and prayers..
Steve Shayna and Boys
Kevin And Lea
Our most deepest condolences for the loss of your Father and Grandfather ..Our hearts are heavy for your loss. May you find comfort in that all of you are surrounded with love and prayers ..
Kevin and family,
So sorry to hear about your dad. It is tough to lose a father no matter how old or the circumstance, as we will always miss them. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. May you find peace in the many memories you shared together.
Max & Brenda Baer
All the best to you, Audrey, and entire family. In this instance the entire family expands to include all of our province.
Bill was a terrific person. B.C. should know that. I had the pleasure of spending 11 years working alongside him as he guiding the province to make it the best in the country.
Love from us
Jim and Jean Nielsen
Our hearts and thoughts go out to Audrey and all of the Bennett family. We have lost a true gentleman and great leader. Bill was an inspiration to us all, wise, warm, knowledgeable, caring, tough where needed, tied in with a delightfully quick wit. I am grateful to have shared some interesting times with Bill including an Asian trade mission and occasions during Expo. Furthermore he was relentless on the tennis court ! I ran for him in the 1975 election and as may be noted in the photo, with him a year later !
Sincerely,
Graeme Roberts
Dear Mrs. Bennett & Family,
On behalf of the Ismaili Muslim Community I wish to express our sincere and heartfelt condolences on your great loss which is shared by very many people in BC. Premier Bennett had an illustrious career, and we in particular will remember him as being present as a guest of honour at the opening ceremony on 23rd August, 1985 of the very first Ismaili Centre to be built in Canada, and indeed North America.. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney did the opening in the presence of His Highness The Aga Khan, and as the National President I was very privileged to be on stage with our very honoured guests on this historic occasion. The Bennett family’s contribution to BC is admirable. So many Ismailis from Uganda and elsewhere are very blessed to call BC and Canada their permanent home, Grace a Dieu. God Bless you all, Farouk Verjee, West Vancouver
Dear Audrey and Family;
We were saddened to learn of Bill’s passing in December. Bill’s accomplishments as Premier have created a marvellous legacy for all British Columbians and we share Bob Plecas’ view that the best Premiers B.C. has ever had were both named Bennett.
We have fond memories of times shared with you both in the Kelowna Gyro Club and, later, on special occasions in Government House, Victoria.
We know that the love and support of your family and your many friends, and the happy memories of your life with Bill, will be a source of strength in this difficult time.
Our thoughts are with you.
Mike and Sharon Roberts
I wish to send my sincere condolences to all the Bennett Family. My husband Ron and I lived in Kelowna in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Ron was President of the Okanagan College and I was privileged to be a guest at May Bennett’s home. She was very proud of Bill’s achievements.
My address is…….. Evergreen House, Room 104,
231 East 15th. Street,
North Vancouver,
V7L 2L7
Audrey, Brad, Birgit and the entire Bennett family. I had the tremendous honour to not only work for Bill while he was Premier but to have a relationship that I have always and will always treasure. There are few in my life that had a more direct and positive influence on my life. I was proud to have worked for him as there was a tremendous sense of accomplishment over all the many undertakings he saw through to fruition on behalf of all British Columbians. Ramona and I look forward to being in Kelowna on Sunday to celebrate the life of a wonderful person and true builder of British Columbia. Jess Ketchum
Dear Audrey, Brad, Birgit and Family – Steve and I are so very sorry we cannot attend Bill’s service and celebration of his amazing life this weekend. Steve’s health is not great and much as he wants to be there, he is just not up to the trip. Please accept our love and support as you go through these sad days of loss, we are honoured to have known him and will remember him always. A bright spark in British Columbia’s history. Valerie and Steve Vrlak.
This week I turned 95 years old and over my lifetime I’ve had a keen interest and often front-row seats to British Columbia politics. My husband, Austin Pelton, served in the cabinet of Bill Bennett. I truly believe he was the best Premier in the history of British Columbia. My deepest condolences to Audrey and the family.
Louise Pelton
Dear Audrey and Family, please accept my sincere condolences. I always remember your dear Bill with respect and gratitude, remembering his kindness and his peculiar view of the reality (I was interviewing him for an Italian newspaper on October 1984).
Love and preyers,
anna
My sincere condolences to family and friends.
I was a younger lad in the 70’s and 80’s when the Honorable Bill Bennett was our premier. Actually, we all were! I would run into Bill on the ski hill, Big White. Not sure if he was standing waiting for someone, or catching his breath, but it doesn’t matter. After seeing him several times that first day, and not saying anything, I went up to him and introduced myself. I told him I was proud to have him as our premier! He humbly thanked me, and we talked about skiing, and what I did for a living. I very much loved this man as our premier, and as a superior human being!!
He will be missed.
Doug Engel