KEHLER, William “Bill”

April 1, 1930 — March 11, 2021

William “Bill” Kehler beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, March 11, 2021, in Kelowna, BC at the age of 90.

Bill had been an extended care home resident for the past few years, having survived various cancers, the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, and more recently increasingly severe dementia.

The 11th of 14 children, Bill was born in Rosenfeld, Manitoba on April 1, 1930. He was raised on a small farm by his devout parents, John and Anna Kehler, where he gained the integrity and work ethic he displayed all his life.

In 1949, he married Josephine “Josie” Schoffer, who bore them four children.

In 1952, after determining greater opportunities were available in Ontario, he moved his family to the small mining town of Atikokan where he worked as a dredge engineer at an iron ore mine. In time, a number of his and Josie’s siblings, and Josie’s mother, followed them there.

After Atikokan’s mines closed, he took another adventurous step in moving his family of six to British Columbia. He eventually joined the boilermaker’s union, initially as a welder and ending his career as a superintendent.

In 1979, after 30 years of marriage, Josie succumbed to cancer at the age of 47. For a time, Bill was a lost soul.

In 1990, he remarried and his new wife, Carmel Taillon, brought a huge extended family into his life including her four children; Carmel herself was one of 16 children. Bill was quickly accepted by all and the love they have all shared with him these many years was a blessing. And, with 28 siblings between them, Bill and Carmel had a busy life just keeping up with relatives.

Over time, Bill and Carmel built their own homes, initially a fourplex in Vernon, BC and later moving and building a house in nearby Armstrong where they made a number of close friends through their church.

In 1995 Bill retired, and he and Carmel began what became annual adventures with their RV, seeing most of North America and portions of Mexico. Eventually, they booked into Sunscape, a small Arizona RV park, which became their winter home for some 20 years.

As a testament to their popularity, numerous friends and family subsequently followed them to this sunny retreat. In recent years, Bill’s failing health could not accommodate trips South; however, they are fondly remembered for the song filled happy hours and Bill’s barbecued ribs and specialty margaritas.

For the past two and half years, Bill has been a resident of Orchard Manor in Kelowna, BC where he has received excellent full-time care. Carmel followed soon after, moving next door to his facility.

Bill will be remembered for his exceptional work ethic, charming personality, quick wit, warm hospitality, and especially his amazing dancing skills (envied by his sons).

Bill was predeceased by both is parents; his wife, Josie; most of his siblings; as well as Carmel’s daughter, Catherine.

He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his wife, Carmel; daughters Debbie (Karl Leyen), Sandi (Jim Durvin), Lisa (Scott Letendre), Catherine (Kevin Charlton); sons Terry (Donnie), Don (Judy), Peter Taillon (Beverly), Jack Taillon (Megan); 25 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; his sister Eva; and brothers Jake and Albert.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul or offer up a prayer or a mass card in Bill’s memory.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, funeral services will be limited to immediate family members.  However, the family would like to invite all who want to pay their respects to join by Livestream on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00am. A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter (see below).

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.