Enduring image of our dad, Bill McWilliams
This photograph was taken in the early 1970's, while we lived in Baden Solingen, West Germany.
Dad flew over 1,000 hours in this mark of fighter, but not all at the same time. It took several years of flying for this 1,000 hrs. to accumulate. The fact that these 1,000 hours were spread out over several years allowed our dad a chance to come home for supper and the occasional holiday!
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During his 30 year military career, dad made many friends, and those friends have remembered dad as a sharp witted man, who possessed an excellent sense of humour.
To mark his passing on August 4, 2002, this webpage is offered as a small tribute to our dad's significant contribution to the lives of his four children, his 9 grandchildren, and his many friends.
Below is a very brief bio of our dad.
One of two children, Bill started his military service as a seventeen year old, when he joined the RCAF in the early 1950's. His first job was on the ground, where he served as ground crew, working on WWII vintage P-51 mustangs.
The cold war was front and centre in most NATO countries, and even the Royal Canadian AirForce was being funded in those days.
Bill earned a commission, and was trained as a flying officer, to work as a navigator in the CF-100 "clunk" at CFB Cold Lake Alberta.
For the next 15 years, this job brought him and his wife Rachelle across Canada, from Comox BC to Bagotville Québec. After a one year posting as a liason officer in Battle Creek Michigan, he was transferred to Regina Sask. In 1970, he remustered and excelled in pilot training at CFB's Gimli Manitoba, Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, and Cold Lake.
In 1972 he went with his young family to Baden Solingen, West Germany, where he served 5 years, as a pilot on 439 tactical fighter squadron, with an extension to serve on the T-bird flight on that base.
1977 brought the family back to Canada, to CFB Cold Lake AB.
After four years there, another four year posting in Moose Jaw Sask. as an instructor pilot rounded out his miltary career in 1984.
In Moose Jaw, then Major McWilliams had the pleasure of flying with his eldest son, Dan, who was also a pilot instructor at CFB Moose Jaw.
Retirement from the CAF was difficult for dad, who never really wanted to leave that life.
He moved to Nanaimo BC in 1988, in order to aid his aging parents, who lived in that city.
(of course all parents are aging as long as they are in time. Even children are aging, so the phrase "aging parents" is like saying "wet rain". sorry for this redundancy)
The dedication our dad showed to his parents says much about his character. He passed on this value to his children, much to the joy of our mother, to whom he was also extremely dedicated.
French Lady, no mystery in her smile
Rachelle was a woman of exceptional compassion.
She raised her 4 Children with a dedication and affection that earned from each of them a degree of emotional attachment appropriate only for someone as special as one's own mother.
Her ability to make each of her friends feel as if they were her 'best friend' gained for her many friends who recall fondly times spent with Rachelle.
Both of our parents modelled a dedication to the family that led me to choose the following Scripture passage for each of their funeral liturgies.
Ecclesiaticus 3:2-13
Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved.
For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.
He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.
And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.
He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.
He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.
He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.
Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,
That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.
This passage of the Holy Scriptures has always reminded me of my parents and how they raised us.
Talkin' 'bout Four Generations
The WHO may have had a fixation with their own generation, but I prefer to be grateful to God for the Generations which preceded and follow my own. This 1993 photograph shows four generations of McWilliams. On the left is my grandfather, E.D. McWilliams, who passed away in 1999. The little boy on my knee is my oldest son, who was born in 1991. My dad is seated to the right. Visible above my head is a picture of the CF-104. This is one of the pictures we displayed at the funeral home during my dad's funeral. click HERE to go back to my homepage. Thank you for coming to visit this little tribute to my parents.
