In loving memory ~
"So will I sing the praises of Your name forever, fulfilling my vows day by day"
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing to glory of Pastor Bill Hudson in West Coast General Hospital after a short final illness. He was a beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Pastor and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet, of almost 63 years; children Karen (Tim) and Paul (Arleigh); Granddaughters, Amanda (Braden), Melissa, Megan (Steve) and Hannah; Great-grandsons, Henry and Matthew; Great Granddaughters, Isla and Ivy; Sisters-in-law Eleanor (Allan) and Dinah; Nieces, Melanie and Christine; Nephew, Mark and several great nieces and nephews in Wales. He was pre-deceased by all of his older sisters and their spouses; nephews, Anthony and Peter; nephew-in-law, Bryan and brother-in-law Bob.
Bill was born in Rhyl North Wales, where he grew up and after training as an electrician, worked in the Persian Gulf for a while. Not wanting to renew that contract, he decided to come to Canada and landed by ship in Montreal. He ended up in Vancouver after working his way across Canada and after a couple of years, met his wife there. So it was back to Montreal for a wedding in 1960 and, where he took seriously, his call to ministry. Studying at Sir George Williams College and United Theological College at McGill, he graduated and was ordained by The Montreal and Ottawa Conference of the United Church of Canada in 1967. He served three student pastorates in Quebec and upon ordination, he was sent to a 4-point charge in McKellar Ontario. Subsequent moves took him to Delhi and Fort Erie Ontario and then Olds Alberta and finally Port Alberni in 1986 as Pastor of First United Church. In 1989 he was called to be the founding pastor of Cedar Grove Reformed Church here, which he served until retirement in 2001 and then seven more years as a retired pastor.
He has always been active in the community groups where he has lived, Rotary, A.A., Padre for Tri-Services and the Legion and chaplain for many years at W.C.G.H, to name a few. He loved Canada and his life here, but greatly cherished his Welsh heritage from which he got his love of music.
The family is grateful to the staff at W.C.G.H., who cared for him during his last stay and to Doctors Meyer, Feyi, Lambiotte and Mohamedali, who have cared for him over the past years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to B.C. Cancer Foundation or the charity of your choice.
Cremation has taken place and we will be having a service of remembrance in July, with the details being shared at a later date.
Messages of condolence can be left at
www.chapelofmemories.ca