We Remember

TANNER, William Duncan

October 29, 1926 — February 10, 2014

William (Bill) Duncan Tanner passed away to his Maker on February 10, 2014 at Kelowna General Hospital. Bill was born in Port Arthur, Ontario on October 29, 1926. He joined the R.C.A.F. in 1943 and served as Air Gunner until 1946. After leaving the military, Bill trained with his father, a Chartered Accountant, and went on to pursue a career in finance, retiring in 1990 as Vice President of Wescan, in Calgary. After retiring to the Okanagan in 1995, Bill took on a new challenge to help deserving veterans receive needed benefits. He and Harvey Friesen spent much time and effort in pursuit of a long overdue apology from the Canadian Government as well as compensation for veterans subjected to human experimentation with lethal gas. After they won their case, Bill pressed to have a medal struck in honour of the wounded and deceased, and to have it called the Sacrifice Medal. His dream was fulfilled in 2008. Bill was also instrumental in having a Veterans’ Ombudsman appointed to help recognize problems faced by Canadian veterans.

Bill served his community in a number of roles, including president of the Rotary Club in Markham, Ontario, and Vice President of the 883 Wing Air Force Association. He was also a member of the Canadian Army Navy Air Force Association. He belonged to the Wartime Aircrew Club and was awarded the Chief of Defence Gold Medal for exceptional service to Canada and The Ministers’ Commendation Award and Jubilee Medal. Bill was nominated for the Order of Canada and Order of British Columbia.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors and loved boating and swimming. Reading was his passion and as a result, he enjoyed long discussions about politics. Bill loved his dogs. He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humour; he was kind and caring. Bill also enjoyed telling stories. Bill and his wife Darlene, loved to travel and drove across North America many times for the joy of the ride. Bill’s parents, O.R. and Betty Tanner and his brother Jack predecease him. He will be missed by his best friend and wife of 36 years, Darlene, and by his special friend, Sandy. He is survived by two daughters, Marlan Ripku and Tracy, as well as by three sons, Michael Ripku, Royden and Robert Scott Mackenzie. He enjoyed a close relationship with many relatives in Canada and the United States. A service to remember Bill will be held at Springfield Funeral Home in Kelowna on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Last Post Fund, or to a charity of your choice. 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.”

 

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE AT 1:00 PM PST

Service
Friday, February 21, 2014 at 1:00 pm

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Last Post Fund, or to a charity of your choice

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for TANNER, William Duncan is scheduled for Friday, February 21, 2014 at 1:00 pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone: 250.860.7077

Special Requests:

None.

Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Doris Maria Bregolisse says:
    February 17, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Darlene,
    my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear Bill.
    Bill was, possibly, my biggest fan.
    I will miss his phone calls, connections that would come out of the blue about story ideas and news tips… and often how much he enjoyed our news broadcast.
    Regretfully, I don’t think I ever met Bill in person. Now it is too late.
    Doris

    Reply
  • Ann Petrone says:
    February 17, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    Very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I enjoyed our many conversations.

    Reply
  • Wallace Loge says:
    February 18, 2014 at 9:02 am

    Darlene, my sincere condolences to you and to your family in this time of loss. On more than one occasion Bill reminded me that I was the person who opened the Veterans Affairs door for him at a time when his life was at a very low point.

    I remember Bill as a man who was single-minded in his pursuit of fairness. This, no doubt, was a result of his own experiences of not receiving that in his own life. This tenacity was more for his fellow Veterans than for himself. That is what I will always remember about him.

    I will cherish the phone call from him this past summer when he just wanted to touch base with me 6 years after I’d retired from my work at VAC.

    Trusting that you will receive the strength that you need in this time of grieving.

    Wallace Loge
    [VAC Area Counsellor – retired]

    Reply
  • George Meikle says:
    February 18, 2014 at 9:30 am

    Darlene. My most sincere condolences for the passing of Bill. I always enjoyed his many visits and phone calls when I was at work and long after I retired.I always thought of him as a good friend with his jokes and funny stories.He will be remembered.
    George and Tracy Meikle

    Reply
  • Bob and Barbara Hastings says:
    February 18, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Dearest Darlene and family, we are so sad to hear of Bill’s passing ; he was my hero and was our Senior Cousin in or extended families. He will be deeply missed and greatly loved, God bless and keep you both.

    Reply
  • Kathleen Evans says:
    February 19, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    My heart is broken. How I adored hearing from and speaking with my dear cousin “Sweet William” as I referred to him. Thank you darling cousin Darlene for taking such great care of Bill and for being the love of his life. How he adored you. How sad his life would have been without you and his wee pups. I wear his air force patches with pride on my blazers and I will cherish my special Canadian bear he sent me. There were so many years we hadn’t seen one another and yet once we were reunited it was as if no time and space had passed. God’s blessings beloved cousin, God’s peace and all my love Darlene and all those who love him. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Kathleen (aka The Queen)

    Reply
  • Judi Dindayal says:
    February 21, 2014 at 11:46 am

    As you grieve, know that I am remembering you and honoring the memory of Bill.

    With caring thoughts and prayers for you Darlene,

    Judi

    Reply
  • Lynn Tucker says:
    February 21, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    Dear Darlene, Although we never met, I have had news of you and Bill through my sister Judi. I want to assure you that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers today. Lynn Tucker (nee Vessey)

    Reply

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