Tribute

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Wilhelm, Bill, Willy, Dad, Opa on June 7, 2021.  He lost his long and courageous battle with mesothelioma and heart disease and took his final journey into God’s care at the age of 87.  Wilhelm is survived by Elisabeth, his loving wife of 66 years, daughter Susan (Harvey) Neumann, son David (Esther); 5 grandchildren–Eric (Lisa) & Dennis Neumann, & Alissa (Ben) Lanteigne, Andrew & Isabel Scheier; 5 great grandchildren (Markus & Carter Neumann, and Gage, Hunter and Eden Lanteigne); various nieces and nephews.

He was the 1^st born child of 8 to Adam & Maria Scheier in the rural community of Cezaryn, Lutzk, Ukraine (Poland) and the last member of his immediate family to pass into God’s care.

His family and Elisabeth’s were neighbours in the Ukraine but in 1939 the families were “resettled” and lost touch until 1953 when Bill was sponsored by an uncle and immigrated to Canada.  He settled in Winnipeg where they found each other again.  They married in May 1955.  Susan was born 14 months later; David came along 9 years after that.  In 1966 Bill moved the family to BC, settling in Vancouver.  In 1968 they fulfilled a dream to purchase “a piece of land” and worked to clear 15 acres of trees, build a house, barns and raise some beef cattle and chickens.  Dad commuted to work in Burnaby daily during these years in Bradner.  Eventually, Bill’s health forced them to consider downsizing.  They sold off their lands 5 acres at a time and in 1997, after 27 years, they made the painful decision to sell the last 5 acres with the house and retire to a townhouse.  They enjoyed 3 cruises, daily car adventures around the Fraser Valley and met with friends to share fellowship and coffee.

Bill was a carpenter by trade but in truth he was a craftsman.  He took great pride in his work both paid and unpaid.  He had a strong work ethic and expected the same of his children.  Everything he worked for was to make a better life for his family.  He never said he didn’t have time to build something for us whether it was a bookshelf, a cabinet or putting in baseboards and trim.  After he left his mill job in Burnaby he found work in house construction and had a hand in building both Peace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church (where he faithfully attended) as well as various other projects big and small.

Grandchildren started coming in 1980 and he was so proud of them – watching them grow and become accomplished adults.  He led by example and they had a close and loving relationship with him.  His greatest joy came with the arrival of great grandchildren and he fought his illness just to have more time to see them.  God gifted him with time to marvel at his first great granddaughter Eden and her signature “Scheier toes.”

His faith sustained him through many hardships during the war, his journey to a new country and learning a new language and making a living to support his family.  And yet he maintained a sense of humor and enjoyed good times with family and friends, was an avid hockey and football fan (particularly the Winnipeg teams) and a loving and supportive husband.  He was generous with his time and his talents. May the Lord bless his memory among us.

The family wishes to acknowledge Christine Morrison Hospice for their tender, loving and supportive care during the past 7 weeks.  They kindly supplied a cake and card signed by those “angels on earth” in celebration of mom & dads 66^th wedding anniversary on May 28.  Thanks are not enough for the kindness extended to all of us.  Thanks also to Dr. Collingridge for his care over the years.

We will honor his wishes for a Graveside service for close family on June 14, 2021.