Wilbur Burton "Bill" Watson

July 14, 1935 - March 20, 2019
With profound sadness we announce the passing of Wilbur (Bill) Watson. He spent his last days in the Palliative care unit at Nanaimo Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Bill was the oldest son of Elizabeth and Burton Watson, was born in Chilliwack, BC and spent his early years on the family farm in Langley.
As a young man he worked various jobs in the lower mainland and Alberta. It was in Alberta he met and married his first wife, Fern. After becoming an electrician, Bill came to Terrace for a work project and decided it was the land of opportunity. He moved his young family from Langley to Terrace in 1963 and never looked back, working in the electrical industry until he retired. His son was born in 1966, to the delight of his 3 daughters and work started on a larger home.
In 1971 Bill started his electrical contracting company: Twin River Electric & Heating Ltd. He worked hard, hired good people and grew his business in the years that followed.
In 1980, Bill formed Twin River Power Ltd. and enjoyed the development and success of his 2nd business venture. His two companies serviced the northwest area for many years and he was well respected in the business community.
Bill met his second wife, Arlie in Terrace and they wed in September 1981. The Watson family grew to include Arlie and her 2 children. Bill was a member of the Lions Club, Rod & Gun Club, Thornhill Golf Course and Royal Canadian Legion. He volunteered many hours on various improvement projects. His interests throughout his life were many: snowmobiling, ATV- ing, trap shooting, golfing, fishing, hunting. He piloted a beloved Cessna for many years; flying for work but mostly, for the pleasure of it.
Bill and Arlie travelled before and after he retired enjoying the people they met along the way. They purchased a second home in Yuma, Arizona and spent many happy winters there with family and friends. He loved to ATV in the desert, check out old mines, explore.
Bill was a very social man and had many friends, business associates and acquaintances. He enjoyed country music, sharing a drink with friends and the Saturday meat draw at the Legion. He touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife Arlie, daughters Theresa Jensen, Karen Vanhalderen (Eric), Kelly Furnseth (Bill), son Wade Watson (Erika), stepchildren Cindy Sabino, Kelly Hassell (Karen), brother Larry Watson (Lorraine), and sister Evelyn Hodges.
At his request, Bill was cremated and did not want a funeral service. A celebration of life will be held in Terrace, August 12th at the Thornhill Pub.
His family invites friends old and new to come celebrate "a great guy" and "a good man".