William (Bill) Ivan Michel was born on April 14 1925, in Taylorville, Illinois to parents Henry and Irene Michel. Bill was the youngest of three boys.
Bill married Emma Mae Durbin on January 9, 1943 by a Justice of Peace in St.Louis, Missouri, and on May 7, 1943 they were married in the Catholic Church in Kincaid, Illinois. In June 1944, son William E. Michel was born, followed by Ronald A. in Sept. 1945. Their first daughter Coralita M.was born in November 1946, and second daughter Eileen A. in May 1949. Third son Zane E. was born in July 1961.
Together, they lived in several States before moving to Canada in 1955. They resided at Hixon, BC for 2 years, then returned to Colorado for 5 years, and then re-entered Canada in 1962 as landed immigrants.
Bill made a living at various jobs, mostly of his own choice and by his own hand. His most enjoyment was from buying and selling anything and everything at farm auctions and yard sales. In their later years, they spent weekends at OK Falls flee market, selling many things, including western belts from Mexico.
In the 1980`s Bill and Emma started spending their winters in Quartzsite, Arizona, and bought property there with a house, after spending their first years in the BLM park in a travel trailer.
Bill moved from Hixon and bought a farm in the Peace River area in 1964, near Dawson Creek, BC. Later, he bought a property at Rock Creek, BC, and spent time in both places in the summer.
Bill was predeceased by both parents and brother Gene.
He will be lovingly remembered by wife Emma, his five children, 12 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren.
In Loving Memory
The many things you did for us
In your kind and loving way
You gave us year of happiness
No one can take away.
A smile we will always remember
A voice we will always recall
Our memories to treasure
Forever and a day
Of one so dear to us all.
Bill passed away on September 10, 2012, at Kelowna General Hospital.
The family invites family and friends to join them for refreshments at the Cutbank Hall, Highway 52 North, Dawson Creek, BC. on October 7, 1:30 pm for a Celebration of Life.