Murdoch, W. E. (Bill)
Died peacefully and without pain on February 22nd at
Lynn Valley Care Center in the presence of his dear
friend Carol. Beloved husband of the late Betty
(Broley), he is survived by his sister Jean, his children,
Sally (Harry), Robert (Nadya) and Mhoire;
grandchildren Meredith (Pat), Robert (Jody), Michael
(Jodi), Patrick and Eric; and his great grandchildren
Caitlin (Jeremy), Daniel (Kelly) Michael, Timothy,
Andrew, Emma, Christopher and Patrick. Bill was
born in Vancouver on March 1st, 1913, grew up in
Victoria and graduated from Oak Bay High School. He
attended Victoria College and McGill University. He
met and married Betty (Broley) in 1936 and moved to
Australia the following year where Sally and Robert
were born. Mhoire followed in 1949 after their return
to Canada. Bill had an eclectic and fulfilling
professional career which included working for his
father at Crane’s Manufacturing in Victoria during the
Depression, being responsible for the production of
Mosquito fighter-bombers for the U.S. Air Force
during the war in Australia and after his return to
Canada producing logging equipment, owning the
Pepsi-Cola franchise in Vancouver and being Vice-
President of Marwell Construction. At one time or
another he was a railway worker, logger and he was
also a coal stoker on a ship between Sydney and
Montreal, the only way to get home in 1945. At the age
of 75, Bill supervised the construction of a seniors
condominium project in West Vancouver and
embarked on his last career as a consultant on
seniors citizens housing. Bill took a keen interest in
independent schools. He was a vice-chairman of
Shawnigan Lake School, founding chairman of the
revived Strathcona Lodge School and Cliffside
Preparatory School. After his retirement from
industry he occupied a number of positions at St-
George’s School and was named an honorary Old
Boy. A life-long Liberal, he was president of the Coast
Capilano Riding Association and played an active role
in the political campaigns of the Honourable James
Sinclair and Jack Davis. After Betty died in 1998, Bill
moved to Saltspring Island and continued to be very
active in the community and made many new friends.
In 2007, he returned to Vancouver and lived
independently until July, 2010 when he entered Lynn
Valley Care Centre. Bill, though small in stature, was
larger than life. His energy, optimism, charm and
sense of humour had an impact on everyone he met
particularly his loved ones. He will be greatly missed.
A service celebrating his life will be held at Shawnigan
Lake School Chapel on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at
2:00 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, donations
may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in the name
of his beloved wife Betty or the charity of your choice.