Obituary of William Barney "Bill" Gunsolley

WILLIAM B. GUNSOLLEY Bill was born William Barney Gunsolley on December 10, 1934 in Gordondale, Alberta. He was the second child of Lee and Lucille Gunsolley and was born prematurely, weighing just over 4 pounds. His older sister, Marguerite, was born less than a year earlier in January. Bill's mom was very busy caring for two small babies while also managing the post office and helping Bill's father in farming their homestead. In February, 1936 the family moved to Dawson Creek where Bill would remain a resident the rest of his life. Bill's brother Ray was born in 1936, and then another sister, Marion, born in 1938. In 1944, when Bill was just 10 years old, his dad died suddenly from a heart attack. Bill's most vivid memory of his dad was the day the dynamite explosion rocked Dawson Creek in February, 1943. He and his dad were downtown when the explosion happened, Bill remembers the broken glass littering the street and his dad grabbing him and running away from the commotion. Bill went to school at Notre Dame and joined the Reserve Army at a young age. In the 60's Bill worked for different trucking companies before he started his long time career as a lineman. At 36 years old, Bill seemed to be a confirmed bachelor until his childhood friend, Madeleine Sargent, moved back to Dawson Creek. He immediately became a father to Madeleine's six children, Anne, Jeannie, Karen, Jon, Esther, and Celia. A full house became even fuller when Lee was born in February, 1973 and Lance in January, 1976. The family moved out to an acreage in Rolla where they had room for horses, goats, chickens, and pigs, to name a few! And for the boys, room to ride anything that they could get to run. In March, 1984 Bill and Madeleine finally decided to make if official and were married. Though they later separated, they remained very good friends. Bill worked as a lineman for many years with BC Hydro, Valard Construction, and later on for his good friend Stash at Stanmac. A highlight of his career were the years he spent building the transmission line from the Bennett Dam to Vancouver. Oftentimes newer workers would freeze in fear when they got up on the poles to string the wire. Bill was often called upon to climb up and talk those guy down to safety. After retirement from his lineman career, he worked in security for the School District and at Gerzey Construction, and many other odd jobs. If he wasn't working at a job, he was working at home, repairing or rebuilding whatever needed his attention. Bill loved spending time with his kids, and later on with his grandkids. He didn't miss a hockey game or a motocross race. He and his dog (whose name was Dog) were well known at the motocross track. Bill's house up on 95th had an open door policy and was a second home to many of Lee and Lance's friends. He especially enjoyed and really looked forward to his annual trip to the island to visit Lee and Anna, and even talked about moving there. When Lee and Anna moved back to Dawson Creek in 2005, he missed those trips. As you will see in the slideshow coming up, Bill loved kids and animals. We didn't find very many pictures that didn't have him holding one or the other, or both. In 2010, Bill suffered a stroke that left him unable to walk, and at first, unable to move much of his upper body. This was extremely hard for Bill to accept and he never lost sight of his goal to walk and to drive again. His stubbornness and strength prevailed and after time in Prince George at the Stroke Rehabilitation Home and then weekly physiotherapy sessions and daily exercises at the Manor, Bill was able to walk short distances with a walker. An amazing accomplishment from where he started six years earlier. He loved having company at the Manor and was always up for a coffee and a game of cribso long as you didn't' win! He served first as Vice President and then President of the Rotary Manor Residents Council, which he was pretty proud of. Bill made the best of every situation, was eager to get out and explore any time the Manor had an outing. He kept so busy that he often told us not to bother trying to get a hold of him until the weekend as he wouldn't have time. He was such a kind and generous man, genuinely interested in everyone around him. On Monday, November 21st Bill had just finished lunch and was exchanging jokes with the staff at Rotary when he suffered a massive heart attack and died instantly. He's gone now, but will continue to live on in each of his grandchildren, I see his quick humour and that bright smile on their faces every day. We will all miss you Dad. Until we meet again Service 1:00 pm Tuesday, November 29, 2016 Bergeron Chapel 10200-17th Street DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G 4C2 Interment Dawson Creek City Cemetery 1900 Alaska Avenue DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada