William David Tantrum “Billy”
“Cursed with Cancer. Blessed with friends”
Our beloved Billy ended his journey on Saturday, June 17, 2017, surrounded with love. He showed such strength and dignity throughout his illness. They say attitude is an important aspect when battling any disease, and Billy had that covered. Always positive and never complaining, but still worrying about others. His medical team were in awe of him and his will to stay as healthy as possible during his battle.
Born in Cumberland, BC, Billy remained in the Comox Valley his entire life. Sojourns to Port Eliza and Lyell Island were just extensions of home as he was always with friends working away. At heart, Billy was a logger, but he was also a jack of all trades. He worked for Brown Fuels, JR Edgett, dabbled in commercial fishing and spent the last years painting houses with Julie.
As an avid sport enthusiast, he loved soccer, especially Manchester United! The boy’s annual trek to Victoria to watch the Whitecaps play was always something enjoyed. You could always count on him to be cheering the kids on, be it family or friends. It was nothing to hear a whole dugout at the baseball field shout “Uncle Bill’s here”.
Young, old, rich or poor, Billy would help anyone. A kind, generous spirit and quick wit attracted a diverse assortment of friends! His long lasting friendships are a testament to the kind of person he was, loyal and fiercely protective of those he loved. You knew he had your back.
His life took him on so many adventures that when asked a couple of months ago, if there was anywhere he wanted to go, he said (with surety of a life well lived) “I have been everywhere I wanted to be, nothing more to see”. He was at peace exactly where he was.
Billy is lovingly remembered by his partner, Julie Webber; son Jesse Collison (Charlotte); granddaughters Amelia, Hilary and Beatrice; brother Tom (Joan); sisters Shannon (Harvey), and Janette (Barry); his nieces and nephews who were so dear to him and a large extended family and friends.
On behalf of Billy, we would like to thank “The Keld Family” for providing a “palliative sanctuary” for Billy to die in peace, his immediate support team Brian and Patti, Don and Bev, George and Fran, Donna and Annie (in Vancouver) for sharing her home and heart through all the trips to the mainland. To the many, many friends that have helped and shown support, Billy says thanks and Adios.
A Celebration of Billy’s Life will be held on Friday, July 14, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at the K’omok’s First Nations Band Hall (3320 Comox Rd, Courtenay, BC). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to “Jumpstart” to help kids in sports, would be appreciated (Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Attention: Jumpstart Finance Team 2180 Yonge Street, PO Box 770, Station K Toronto, Ontario M4P 2V8).