The family of William A. (Bill) Wiebe is sad to announce his death at the age of 87 years on Friday, August 19, after a short final illness. He died peacefully in the presence of his wife and family. He will be greatly missed by Louise, his wife and soulmate of 62 years, daughters Karen (Bill) Parchomchuk of Kelowna, Phyllis (Len) Redekop of Salmon Arm, Ellen (Allan Oas) Wiebe of Vancouver, and Audrey (Stan) Loewen of Abbotsford, as well as grandchildren Julie (Scott) Parker, Janelle (Kevin Dunn) Parchomchuk, Dean (Charlotte Yeats) Parchomchuk, Lisa Redekop, Matthew (Beverly Jones) Redekop, Kathy Redekop, Dave (Renee) Wiebe, Michael Wiebe, Robert Wiebe, Krista Loewen, Andrea Loewen, Mark Loewen, and great-grandÂchildren Hanna and Cameron Parker, Marco and Arielle Mora Redekop and Leo Jones-Redekop.
Bill was born on March 21, 1919 near Ufa, Russia to Abram and Maria Wiebe. The family immigrated to Canada in 1925 and settled in Saskatchewan where Bill completed both High School and Normal School and taught his first four years. While working in Ottawa during the Second World War, he met Louise Thiessen and the two married in 1944. The couple moved to Abbotsford in 1947 where Bill began his long and significant involvement as a teacher and principal at the MEI. He then taught internationally in Nigeria and Singapore, returning to Abbotsford to teach at Aldergrove Secondary and Abbotsford Secondary. Later he taught briefly at Trinity Western University and completed his career back at the MEI. In a life of teaching that spanned 36 years, Bill influenced thousands of students from grade one to university on three continents. His ability to transmit a love of math and physics is legendary. Bill earned three university degrees throughout his career: a BA from University of Saskatchewan, a B.Ed from UBC, and an M.Ed (Physics) from Western Washington University.
As part of his lifelong commitment to missions he served as Assistant Secretary at MB Missions in Kansas, volunteered as a Director with Logos Canada, spent one year as Interim Director of MCC in BC, and in the last few years loved to help out at The Gleaners in Abbotsford. He had a deep love for music, directing and singing in numerous choirs.
Bill and Louise were charter members of Central Heights Church. Bill’s love of God and church were the foundation of his life and his deep faith inspired us all. He deeply loved his family, taking pride in his daughters, and especially delighting in the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As a couple they traveled to many parts of the world, and encouraged the wanderlust in the family. He will be missed as a loving husband and father, grandpa and friend.
Friends and family are invited to a viewing at the Woodlawn Funeral Home – 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford on Friday, August 25 from 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 4 at Central Heights Church in Abbotsford at 2:00 p.m. The family is grateful for the expert and compassionate care given by Dr. Reg Peters in Emergency and the excellent nurses of 3 West. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Logos Canada, MCC BC, or MB Missions and Services International.
Woodlawn Funeral Home
604-853-2643