We Remember
AALDERS, William
August 7, 1939 — June 12, 2026
William “Bill” Aalders was born on August 7, 1939, in Venhuizen, Holland, just weeks before the start of World War II. An only child, Bill and his parents Henderikus and Ytje Aalders immigrated to Canada in 1953. They first settled in Ladner, BC, and then for many years made a home for themselves in Surrey, BC.
In 1963, he met Gerri Leusink on the steps of Surrey Christian Reformed Church. Nineteen-year-old Gerri had just arrived from Coaldale, Alberta to look after her toddler nephew. Meeting Gerri changed Bill’s life. They were married in August 1965 and had five children: Audrey, Jim, Cindy, Will, and Natalie.
Bill worked in BC’s egg industry for about 30 years. He was employed first by Three-R Poultry and then Vanderpol’s Eggs, both in Surrey. In 1979, Bill was asked to take on the management of Glenmore Eggs, and so the family moved to Kelowna and settled there. Kelowna, and later West Kelowna, were home to him for the rest of his life.
Bill had a servant heart and used it to serve on many boards and to volunteer in a variety of ways. He led with his heart. He believed in education, including Christian education, and so served on the board of Kelowna Christian School during its very earliest years. He travelled to Edmonton for board meetings at The King’s University. He believed in the church and its global mission, and so travelled regularly to Toronto during his term of service on the board of the Bible League of Canada. In 2013, when he was in his 70s, he and Gerri joined the Bible League on a mission trip to Ethiopia and India. More locally, Bill volunteered at the Bibles for Missions Thrift Store for over twenty years. He believed in giving back to his community. In this capacity, he volunteered with the Kelowna RCMP as a Citizen on Patrol, doing his part to make the city he loved safe.
Bill was deeply committed to the church and his personal faith in the resurrected Christ. He attended Kelowna Christian Reformed Church for nearly 50 years, during which time he cycled on and off council for many years. He loved to sing hymns and worship songs. Even in hospital, in the final weeks of his life, Bill sang along while watching a service recorded in Edmonton, during which his grandchildren Parker and Ava did profession of faith.
Bill Aalders is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Gerri; their children Audrey (Darren) Kruisselbrink, Jim (Judy) Aalders, Cindy Aalders, Will (Arenda) Aalders, and Natalie (Clay) Aalders-Price; twelve grandchildren (Jordan (Stephanie), Emma, Loren, Evan, Caleigh (Saurabh), Micah, Jill, Parker, Ava, Olivia, Bennett, and Piper); and he died anticipating the birth of his first great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bible League Canada.
A Funeral Service, with Pastor Todd Statham officiating, will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM (PDT) at Kelowna Christian Reformed Church (239 Snowsell St., Kelowna, BC). If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below).
The burial will take place after the service at 12:30 PM, at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery (1991 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC)
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM provided by Kelowna Christian Reformed Church:
www.youtube.com/@kelownachristianreformedch108/streams
Service
Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM (PDT)
Location
Kelowna Christian Reformed Church
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Service Information
Service Details
The service for AALDERS, William is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.



Dear Audrey and family ,My heart goes out to you at this time of loss and sorrow .Keep the memories close and he will never truly be gone . Big hug xo Tammie
Audrey and family, so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs to you all. Kim King & Family
Gerri and family,i’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing,i worked with Bill at Glenmore Egg’s when he arrived in 79 until i moved in 84 to Edmonton,Bill was an amazing boss and friend,he will be greatly missed.
May all your memories of Bill / Dad / Grandpa/Opa bring comfort as you grieve.
I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. He was always kind and warm, an important piece of my childhood. Sending love to each of you – Mrs. Aalders. Natalie, Will, Cindy, Jim, and Audrey. 🩵