William “Bill” Olson Hancock passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at the age of 81 years. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William and Mildred Hancock; brother Richard Hancock; nephew Brian Hancock and our beloved niece, Janet Chadwick. Bill was born at Radville, Saskatchewan on April 14, 1936. His father was an employee of the railroad and Bill grew up in Bienfait and Estevan. Bill and his brother Dick spent many happy times with their father on the railroad. Bill graduated from Estevan Collegiate where he also won the Athlete of the year award in 1955. He went on to graduate from the University of Regina with a Physical Education Major and began his teaching career in Fillmore in 1956. Bill taught school for the next 33 years. He married Delilah Schroeder on August 3, 1959 in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Together they moved to Melita, Manitoba in 1969 and remained there for a year. From 1970 to 1989 he taught in Minnedosa and eventually would retire due to ill health. Bill and Del moved back to the Fillmore area on December 2, 1991. Over his lifetime Bill had many hobbies and interests, sports, travelling and woodworking to name a few. Following his teaching career he took up woodworking as a hobby and became a master craftsman in wood, building the finest furniture as well as doing any repairs or renovations to structures. Bill also served on the Town Councils in both Fillmore and Minnedosa. He was an active member of the Fillmore Lions Club in the 60’s. Bill was instrumental in establishing libraries in both communities. As well he coached and refereed many local sports teams and events. Bill also volunteered his time as a ski patroller. He was a confirmed member in both the Anglican and United Churches and served the churches in many capacities. Bill was always ready to do volunteer work when necessary. Bill and Del travelled to Burwell, England to the birthplace of the Hancock family. With friends and family he skied the mountains of Alberta, Montana and Colorado. He and Del canoed down the Minnedosa River many times with friends right back to their home by the lake. For their 25th wedding anniversary, Bill and Del took a houseboat trip with friends on the Lake of the Woods. Other trips took Bill and his family to the Caribbean and Disneyland as well as from the east to west coast of Canada. The family spent many summers as well camping in their homebuilt camper. In his high school and college days Bill played trumpet in a band known as “The Emeralds” and in later years in Fillmore he helped bring about the Lion’s sponsored high school band. Bill was highly respected in his chosen profession leaving a legacy to hundreds of students for his athletic skills and the joy of sports. “Participation” was the intent as opposed to becoming a star. Both his son Tyler and daughter Terry Dawn are avid sports people and their children as well have all been indoctrinated with the love of sport. Tyler was proud to be referred to as “Billy’s Boy!” Grandson, Justin, was thrilled to have Grandpa present when he scored his first hockey goal and grandson, Matty, developed a keen interest in basketball due to Grandpa’s influence. Grandson, Hunter, seems to have inherited a similar skill in hockey that Grandpa possessed in his youth. Bill was an insulin dependent diabetic for 66 yrs. but managed to have a successful and rewarding life. Just when he was heading for what he hoped would be a professional hockey career at the age of 15 he was diagnosed with diabetes. Sports and diabetes didn’t go hand in hand in those days but a teacher suggested he go into the profession which would allow him to still be part of what he loved. The rest was history but many, many people have been instrumental in helping him during difficulties due to his health condition. Without their help Bill would not have had a long and happy life. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Del Hancock of Fillmore, SK; son, Tyler Hancock of Creston, BC and his children Hunter and Samuel; daughter, Terry Dawn Hancock of Ottawa, ON and her children, Matthieu, Justin, Jean-Marc & Claire; sisters, Sharon, Joan, Marion and Jackie (Harvey) and their families and special brother in law, Allan (Bud) Schroeder & family of Port Alberni, BC. A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. from Fillmore Memorial Hall, Fillmore, Saskatchewan with Reverend Harvey Hurren officiating. Interment will follow at Fillmore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bill may be made to the Fillmore Ambulance Inc. c/o Vicki Procyk at Box 101, Fillmore, Saskatchewan, S0C 1N0. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, Saskatchewan, 306-842-5432.
