Family and friends will sadly miss one of the Cariboo’s well known pioneers; William (Bill) Wilfred Ripley, who passed away at GR Baker Memorial Hospital, Quesnel, B.C. on July 27th, 2007 at the age of 86 years, after a long illness.
Bill was born March 25, 1921, at Peace River Crossing, Alberta. His family immigrated to Canada from England four months before his birth. He lived with his parents, two brothers, and two sisters for about fifteen years on their property which was called Spruce Lee, in the District of Judah, Alberta before relocating to B.C. During the second World War Bill served his Country for almost four years. Following the War he brought his family to the Cariboo country around 1948 in a covered wagon. Later he moved to the Bouchie and Milburn Lake areas. Bill loved the country way of life. He did contract haying and delivery of hay, mostly square bales, for many years in this area. He has fought forest fires, horse logged, built and worked in sawmills, ranched and guided for Jack Lowry and Carl Quanstrom. He made the first 1200 Road, haying at his favourite Sandy Meadow, Udy Creek, Hungate Ranch, Quanstrom Lake and lastly 27 years at Parson Meadow in the Nazko area, doing what made him happy. He enjoyed house Church where he was known for playing the “bones”.
Predeceased by his parents, Edward and Sarah, his brothers, Harry and Herb, two sisters, Doreen (10 hours old, and Violet (91years young). He is survived by his wife Lou, his sister, Winnie Roseborough, sister-in-law Doreen Crick, mother-in-law Lillian Tearall, his children Kirk, Heather (Jim) Schofield, Kenny, Melody (Kyle Watson), stepchildren Marvin (Angela) Phillips, Kerry (Sue) Phillips, Sharilee (Bojan) Golob, and Mickey (Peggy) Phillips. Grandchildren Richard (Allison) Schofield, Barbara (Doug) Nielson, Jasmine Harrington and Isabelle Watson, Sarah (Clay Pelley) O’Brien, Nicole (James) Cartier, Lee (Samantha) Harley and Christopher Phillips, Kristal, Mikol & Ivy Golob, Joseph & Lawrence Qua, Cassaundra & Caitlynn Phillips, Great grandchildren Jacob, Brandon & Nathan Schofield, Travis & Tiffany Nielson, Cole Phillips, Britanie (Lance) Kazmirchuck, Tyler & Heather O’Brien and many nieces, nephew and by his many friends.
Thank you to the members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 94, Quesnel, B.C. for performing the “Honor Guard” at the “Celebration of Life” for William (Bill) Wilfred Ripley at Clayton’s Funeral Chapel.
Thank you to Pastor Jody Rinas also to Pastor Kevin Downey and his Youth Group who helped brighten my time near the end for Bill., This thank you is also to “our” many friends and to my family.
From Lou Ripley