Obituaries
William Peter Lilge
August 02, 1950 - February 18, 2023
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Obituary For William Peter Lilge
It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce that Wild Bill Lilge, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, left us on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the age of 72 years. Although we would have loved to have had more time with him, we are grateful that he went peacefully after a short battle with cancer.
William Peter Lilge was born on August 2, 1950, in Spirit River, AB, to Wilfred and Frances "Toodles" Lilge, and siblings Bob and Betty-Jean.
Many things that started with Bill at an early age kept with him throughout his life, more notably his love to tease, and his love of golf. The former is most likely what caused Wilf to have Cornie Martens and Gerry Dobko be given the keys to his car to take Bill to Richmond Hill Golf Course. Apparently, they didn't mind, and neither did Bill, because he would fall in love with the game and it became a huge part of his life. At a young age he became the local Golf Pro, he attended golf school in the States and toured to play competitively.
He met Joan Paziuk in 1973, who had moved to Grande Prairie for "just two years", but it was the typical story of falling in love and being stuck there for the rest of your life (she loved Grande Prairie, it was all good). Bill had planned to do a final hurrah tour in Africa at some point but decided instead to buy a clothing store in town. Side note, Joan was very sad about this. He would continue to golf though, making many trips to the States and Radium (he loved this place) with his friends, to more recently getting to golf with his grandchildren (he'd probably say that they were better than some of the guys he golfed with).
Wild Bill's was a staple to Grande Prairie, and wherever you were you'd probably meet someone who knew of it and its famous jingle. With him working the early hours and Joan working the late hours, they ran a successful business until 2012 when they decided to retire. It was sad because it had been a huge part of our lives for so long, but they were looking forward to being able to spend more time at home, especially with their grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as "Ampa".
Between being a Golf Pro at the Grande Prairie Golf & Country Club in his early years, owning Wild Bill's with Joan for over 30 years, and making the local pubs his home-away-from-home, he made many friends and was always surrounded by someone who loved him. He loved (most likely in this order) his beer, golf, woodworking in his shop, beer, his Red Rock and Crown & Anchor friends (and their beer), and his family. He wasn't the obvious loud guy, but his presence was always known. He wasn't the emotional guy who always spoke his feelings, but we never questioned his love for us. Ever.
He leaves to mourn his wife of almost 49 years Joan; his children: Mike (Nikki) and grandchildren Wells and Franki, Liane (Jason McCorriston) and grandchildren Briar, Luca and Westin, and Shannon (Ian Feser) and grandchildren Olivia and Larissa; his sister Betty-Jean (Ken O'Shea) and her family; as well as brother Bob (Ellen) and his family. On Joan's side the loss is felt just as much, with his 101 year old mother in-law Nellie Paziuk; sister in-law Gail (Ron Saleski); brothers in-law Glen and Richard (Leigh), and their families who have always had a special place in Bill's heart. To his friends who have been such a huge part of our lives and became like family, we appreciate and love you all.
He was predeceased by his parents Wilfred and Toodles Lilge.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:00am, at Clarkson Hall (55051 Township Rd 710, Evergreen Park). Luncheon following the service (and maybe some beer if we're lucky). Bill wasn't the fancy guy, he loved his t-shirts that had sayings on them, so please wear one to honor him. If you would like to say something about Bill during the lunch, we would absolutely love that, we just ask that you keep it to around 5 minutes otherwise we're sure Bill's eyes would be watering.
A Livestream of the service will be accessible 15 minutes prior to the service on Bill’s obituary on Oliver’s Funeral Home website.
In lieu of flowers, if you choose to, you can make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society AB/NWT Division (200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5) since our lives have been extremely impacted by this disease in so many ways.
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