Johnston introduced me to Brads Banff XMAS ski trips Beatles Rubber Soul era Partied – casual acquaintance Still feeling rejection night they dumped me to get first crack at the girls Sue (intro Sue) and I moved to Wpg 1971 – knew nobody Called Bill who immediately invited us to Vansittart where he hosted parties Immediate bond formed Partied there and at our place on Stradbrook
Bill included us as part of his family This was Betula Ski Bees event We were made to feel welcome by entire Bradley family
Realized Betula was ‘their Matlock’ Many enjoyable family times (point out Heather & Tom)
During Sue’s first pregnancy Bill never far from the womb Played bridge night after night with his (then) girlfriend Josh Bill was excited about the pregnancy He sat on the foot of Sue’s hospital bed for Stephanie’s birth in 72 and Tyler’s in 73 (pregnant again – more bridge) and… Bill helped us name both of our kids Sue wanted to call our son ‘Beau’ – Bill pointed out (using famous lead-in expression) “It’s a question of whether or not you want his initials to be B.O.”!) Ended up with Tyler Beau which worked for Bill
He loved water skiing and taught me how to do tricks This is a picture of him, not me
The dot you see at their Betula cottage is Sue and Rich Stovel We were drinking G&T’s Bill suggested teaching me how to go over the jump That’s me Seconds later I learned something else that he had failed to teach me in advance: the meaning of the term ‘lakewater enema) Great teacher, I eventually learned
Spent much time at Betula even during raging wind storm that took down trees Bill tried to figure out how we were going to get additional baby formula if we got stranded – he formed a plan
He was a great role model for developing a buff body (which I never mastered) Always looked great for the camera Note still playing bridge
So we formed a unique annual event: Red Eye Starting in ’72 we invented a weekend of events around Grey Cup weekend We did it for many consecutive years – the entire group flying to Saskatoon when we moved there, Calgary for variety, and Regina when we moved there Bill loved these weekends and was a master at planning the sequencing and timing of the events and meals Person pictured is Lyla Mobberley – point her out
Subsets of the guests always stayed up all night, different clusters of people as guests slept and awoke Played backgammon, talked for hours, went bowling Played music Planned and ate meals Created name badges, printed invitations, rule books, held meetings to discuss planned events, selected a chairperson, decided on next year’s location
Donna entered the scene mid-scene in the Red Eye era This is a picture of her at the first one held at their brand new home in Oak Bank You may think this is a look of enjoyment and wonder Actually, she is thinking about all the possible damage that could happen, and the massive clean-up effort ahead
Red Eyes were not just adult only bashes They were Family Friendly” Point out Nikki and Tracy
Most of you know Bill loved food and eating great meals, especially desserts I had a hard time finding pictures to prove it… Or did I?
It seems capturing Bill’s barbecue talents, carving specialty and eating skills were great subject matter for the camera
Yes I guess I didn’t have a problem finding pictures to prove this
Lots of cooking, lots of eating, all captured on film
His passion for food and family served him his entire life as examples of his favourite things
<Hopefully laughs here> Note his loyal companion – his black lab He trained his dogs well, they were excellent retrievers We have it all on video
Of course cooking and eating were always key Mention Minnedosa hunts Include Stratton’s points about bowling Set up next slide referring to always adhering to safety standards and proper decorum at meal times
No comment necessary about this pic Set up next slide with: The story of us returning dirty from hunting camo gear going to Betula store Shopkeeper and other shoppers would expect us to be there to buy cigars, fireworks and beef jerky But what did we buy?
They must have thought were were real rednecks!
If appropriate say unfortunately I never learned – great tips but it assumes a level of talent! Pause after showing this Lead in to conclusion
Bill is the brother I never had The respect I had for him was enormous He never said a bad word about anybody to, or behind their back For 38 years he was my continuous, uninterrupted best friend. Whether or not I was his is irrelevant and we never spoke in such terms. His qualities were worthy of the best celebration anyone could have. I loved him so much I can’t imagine life without him. Congratulations Bill. You were one of the world’s really good people.