William "Bill" Robert Charles Robson

William “Bill” Robert Charles Robson passed away on the evening of Friday, February 27, 2026, at his home in the German Canadian Care Home in Vancouver. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Wendy (née McCulloch); his daughters Roberta (Ron) LaQuaglia and Jodie Robson; and his grandchildren Kylea, Dawson, Scarlett and Domenic as well as 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Bill was born in Ottawa, Ontario, to Robert and Dorothy Robson, the second of ten children. His father’s work with the Canadian military meant the family moved frequently during Bill’s childhood, eventually settling in British Columbia. Bill attended St. Thomas More High School in Burnaby, where his interests leaned toward athletics and hands‑on pursuits.

A lifelong worker, Bill began his career early. While employed at Dawson Shell he met Wendy—his boss’s daughter—and they were married in September 1970. The couple made their first home in Pitt Meadows.

Bill’s career in the forest industry took him through many roles—boom man, tugboat operator, sawmill and pulp mill supervisor and superintendent positions—and saw the family relocate across northern B.C.: Fort St. James, Smithers, Hazelton and Prince George. In the early years he also worked in Alberta building burners and as a First Aid Attendant in logging camps, spending long stretches away from home to provide for his family.

In 1987 Bill joined MacMillan Bloedel and the family settled in Powell River, where he and Wendy lived until 2024. They made a welcoming home in Westview, the Townsite and south of town, helping to raise two grandchildren and creating a sanctuary filled with family, projects and simple comforts.

Bill loved water—boating, fishing and the bustle of the log pond—and took great pride in his work on tugboats and at the pulp mill. He combined those passions volunteering to organize the Sidewinder Rodeo for Powell River Seafair. A practical man with a tool for every job, his shop was a familiar landscape of rusty coffee cans filled with nails and screws. He enjoyed chopping wood, early mornings, strong black coffee, and an afternoon nap in his favourite chair. Unpretentious in taste, he was pleased by a Terry’s Chocolate Orange and a pair of wool socks at Christmas. He was a cowboy at heart—fond of cutoff jeans and the Canadian Tuxedo—and often answered the question of “what’s for dinner?” with “beer and a bologna sandwich”.

Bill was honest, dependable and hardworking. He was not given to grand displays of affection, but he was loyal and steady—someone family and friends could always count on. Dementia took him from his family’s active life too soon into his retirement. Work and projects gave him deep purpose, and his stubborn independence remained with him to the end.

He will be remembered with love and pride by his family and by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 11:00am, August 22, 2026 at Kearney Funeral Services' Columbia-Bowell Chapel (219 6th St., New Westminster, BC V3L 3A3). All are welcome.

Donations to the Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association in Bill’s name are a fitting tribute as he was a volunteer “side walker" there.