Lawrence B. Willan
July 23, 1917 to October 15, 2004
“Laurie” passed away peacefully on Oct. 15, 2004 at the Bulkley Lodge, his home for the last three years. He will be sadly missed by his wife Isabelle and his children Louise, Bonnie (Jan), Patricia (Keith), Lorraine (Norman) his 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents John and Margaret Willan, his son Lawrence, brothers John, Thomas, Bob, Archie, Stanley and his sister Frances.
Laurie was born in Keeley Springs, Sask. He came to Hazelton at the age of three with his parents, one sister and two brothers. He went to school in Hazelton and then married and moved to Wells, B.C. where he worked in the Cariboo Gold Quartz mine. He then went to Prince Rupert to work in the shipyards before joining the Army and serving overseas. He was one of the troops that helped in the liberation of Holland during the war, he joined the Far Eastern forces, returned to Canada and was discharged.
Dad returned to Hazelton and then worked as a blacksmith at the Silver Standard Mine, married and raised one son and three daughters. He was employed for many years as Road Foreman for the Dept. of Highways. Dad also worked as asphalt plant foreman for Dawson Construction, later as a logger for Wakefield & Kerr and then as Graderman/Buncher Operator for Stege Logging Ltd. until his retirement.
Dad was a great teacher and a very intelligent man, he taught us girls everything from how to shingle a roof to how to throw a fly. He was a great builder and each one of us has a piece of furniture that Dad built. Dad was a pretty good ball player in his day and still put on his skates at the age of 72 to show the grandkids he still could play hockey.
Dad also loved to hunt, fish and camp, but most of all he will be remembered for his love of his family.