Mr. William “Billy” Edward Kawchuk, age 66 years, passed away suddenly at home on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Billy was born in Port Arthur on July 27, 1958 to Michael and Helen Kawchuk and he was educated locally. Billy met the love of his life, Lorelei Hannaford, on July 11, 1987 and from the first moment he knew that he wanted to marry her, and immediately began courting her. They were married civilly on February 3, 2001, and Sealed for Time and All Eternity in the St Paul Minnesota Temple on Saturday, June 20, 2015, spending 37 wonderful years together. They were longtime members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Billy's faith was very important to him. He was a member of the Elders Quorum and an ordained holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Billy was a long time employee of FRP Systems as a Fibreglass Mechanic since October 1987, and a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 397. He loved going to work each day providing for his family, and working with his coworkers, and would share stories with his family about work all the time. Billy was an avid reader, with a strong love of history that he passed onto his son. He loved watching first his daughter Crystal in her dance recitals, and later on her daughter Chloe; and he made it to every single one of his son Dallas' cadet inspections from Navy League and through the Sea Cadets. Billy enjoyed playing Warhammer 40,000 with his son Dallas and longtime work friend Charlie Main where they would spend hours talking, modeling, painting and playing within that system. He found joy in the accomplishments and talents of each one of his children and grandchildren. Billy's greatest joy was as he put it, "helping his grandchildren find new ways to get into trouble that they hadn't thought of."
Billy will be deeply missed by his wife, Lorelei and their children, Dallas and Crystal, as well as his grandchildren Brianna, Abbigayle and Chloe. He is also survived by his siblings Michael Kawchuk and Johnny Kawchuk; mother-in-law Patricia Hannaford, special sister-in-law Patricia Pollen and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Helen Kawchuk; siblings Larry Kawchuk and Kenny Kawchuk; father-in-law Kenneth Hannaford and sister-in-laws Rosanne Tropea, Jean Kawchuk and Pat Kawchuk and nephew Nicholas Holmquist.
Funeral Services for the late Mr. William Kawchuk will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 1:00pm in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (2255 Ponderosa Drive, Thunder Bay). Cremation will follow with interment at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday evening from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
For those unable to attend the service, a livestream will be available through Zoom and the link can be obtained through Dallas Hannaford.
Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of Billy to the Thunder Bay Shelter House would be greatly appreciated.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
