JULY 30, 1923 ~ MAY 14, 2015
Percy Southern passed away peacefully at home with family by his side.
Bill was born in Barrow Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, England, the youngest of seven.
They all doted on their baby brother.
As a school boy he did very well and graduated to high school at age eleven. Being linguistic he enjoyed French, German and Latin.
From high school he went to Chester College in Cheshire, England where he prepared for his teacher training. WWII interrupted their progress and Bill and his school chums joined the war effort in the Royal Air Force Bomber Command. They flew Lancaster Bombers.
As the war came to an end they returned to Chester College and Bill graduated to commence his teaching career in Bolton until 1952 when he worked his way by sea to the east coast of Canada.
A long train journey across Canada took him to Manning, Alberta. Years of teaching in Alberta finally took him to Comox in 1966 where he was VP at Robb Road School to be followed by the Principalship at Lake Trail to end his teaching career at Airport School in 1987.
Bill had many interests particularly growing his wonderful tomatoes, Bolton Wanderers Soccer Club, his garden, fishing, nature, building tool sheds, his dogs and cats, travelling and brass band music to mention a few. Bill too was adventurous and courageous which led to anxious moments for his family in the tree cutting down department. He was fearless.
Bill will be sadly and lovingly missed by his children, Archie, Philip, Bryan, Christina and step-daughter Suzanne; daughters-in-law Sharon, Mary and Janice plus grandsons Jeremy, Stephen and Adam.
His wife Diane will be forever grateful for a wonderful shared loving life. He is to be blessed.
Bill was laid to rest May 23, 2015 and we wish to thank the Reverend Ray Brandon for his most sensitive and eloquent service. We also thank Piercy’s-Mt.Washington Funeral Home for all their care and attention to detail.