October 29, 1928 - January 6, 2022
George William (Bill) Windsor died peacefully on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at the Olds Hospital & Care Centre at the age of 93 years.
Bill was born on October 29, 1928 in High River, Alberta to Jane and Ewart Windsor. His father was a night constable; his mother, a homemaker.
Bill’s youth was intensely influenced by the Rocky Mountains, the Prairie farmland, and the wooded banks of the Highwood and Little Bow Rivers.
Education at the University of Alberta served to enhance his enchantment with the great outdoors. Biology became both a vocation (teacher) and an avocation (conservation, harvesting, and hobby).
On December 27, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Vinnetta Bainbridge. They lived in Edmonton, Rocky Mountain House, and Olds, where they raised six children and Bill taught in both the Junior and Senior High Schools.
During his 34 year teaching career, his biology students were led to gain an appreciation of the wonders of all living things. Each day he instilled upon these same students that learning is a lifelong experience.
Bill was a member of the Olds Fish & Game Association and involved in the introduction of a “Habitat Stamp” to raise funds for habitat purchase and improvement. He also played and coached hockey with the Olds “B” team of the Chinook Hockey League in the late 1950s, and served on Olds Town Council from 1971 - 1974.
In 1984, Ruth and Bill retired and moved to their cabin on Sylvan Lake. He built nest boxes for goldeyes, learned how to waterski and windsurf, took a shine to ice fishing, and thoroughly enjoyed the peace and tranquility of this new home.
Bill tackled his retirement years with the same enthusiasm and zest he displayed in front of a classroom full of students. They became "Snowbirds" in Yuma, Arizona for 14 years, and it was in Arizona where he learned a new craft that became his passion, the art of woodcarving. His carvings exemplify devotion, tenacity, and attention to detail.
They returned to Olds in 1996. Even in his “golden years”, Bill remained very active, spending his days gardening and visiting with neighbours who stopped to admire his “green thumb”, fly fishing along the Bow River (using flies he learned to tie himself), and trekking to the back country during bowhunting expeditions with family members.
Bill loved music. He was a self-taught guitarist, but his true love was singing. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang at church, around campfires, and with his family.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, an infant daughter, Diane, two grandsons, Russell Windsor and Ty Sparks, his loving wife, Ruth, and two sisters. To continue in this life, Bill leaves his children Merrilee (Jim) Walton, Dawn (Tom) Clarke, Laura Windsor, Bill (Kathleen) Windsor, Anne (Nigel) Cameron, and Tom (Sandy) Windsor, as well as 9 grandchildren and their spouses, and 23 great grandchildren.
At his request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alberta Children’s Hospital, or to the charity of one's choice.
