Bill Mackay
Beloved husband of Karen,
passed away in 2019.
Bill was the youngest of nine children
born into a Scottish family that lived in
Cloverdale,
a much-storied location, where his sense of
adventure began with a wide network of
loved friends and relatives.
His life was defined by love for his wife, family,
and friends, his curiosity about the world and love
of learning, his broad and lifelong artistic career,
his athletic prowess as a skier, his musical skills
as a drummer, and his love of gardening.
and a desire to share your own gifts with the world.
Memories
Misa N******
Dave L******
Will C*****
Bill was the drummer in a jazz trio we started in
the mid ‘90’s. We played many gigs together and
spent a lot of time in deep discussion. A few
years later I was in dire straits and asked Bill
for some advice, he gave me some great advice that
turned my life around and I follow to this day.
Rest In Peace Bill. William R. C*****.
kevin K***
Met Bill in September in 1981 at a church social at Emily Murphy Park. It was a pleasure to learn from him, and gave me a few tips in young adult life, prior to me moving (permanently, or so I thought) to the West Coast in 1983. Bill was politically astute, and filled in for Ed Ullishak at the Journal as a cartoonist, and he met and married Karen in the early 1980s in Edmonton. More recently, I was introduced to he and Karen and their philanthropy at the community garden location on Wagner Road in SE Edmonton. The years pass by...made a point to visit in MillWoods every trip home, but had not done so in recent years, especially since my move to Ottawa in 2017. I offer condolences to Karen, the MacKay family who came from Cloverdale; fond memories as I lived in Bonnie Doon in my early years. Rest well,Bill; a life well lived...
Arielle P****
December 4, 2019
Karen,My heart goes out to you and your family in this time of sorrow.
David H****
December 4, 2019
Sad to see you go Billy. It's sad to lose another brother from the "Hole". We grew apart but we were the family from Cloverdale now and forever.
God bless Billy.
Bob C***
December 3, 2019
My condolences for your loss.
Francois B****
December 3, 2019
Karen: my most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your husband. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Lorin L**
December 2, 2019
I grew up a few doors from Karen's family but she was a few months my senior and a grade ahead in school so I was just a kid. During our university years we got to get to know Bill and Karen as a young couple. I remember them as cool people who really cared for each other.
It's always sad to say good bye to those we love, so our hearts hurt with yours Karen.
Sending our condolences for your loss.
Bac & Anna T*****
December 1, 2019
We have known Bill and Karen for the past twenty some years... We met at Millwoods Rec Center when our kids were toddlers. Years pass and we’d often see each other again at the Confederation pool, in the hot tub where we had many great conversations.
For the past few years, Bac often met Bill and Karen at Snow Valley Ski hill. When Bac mentioned to them that I need a pair of ski boots to learn how to ski, with no hesitation they offered me an extra pair of boots and skis that they have. They are very kind and very generous people.
Bill has so many talents but he was very humble and very modest.
We remember his warm smile and soft spoken voice which make us feel very comfortable.
We are so grateful to have the privilege of knowing Bill and Karen.
We were heartbroken when we received the sad news .
Our deepest condolences to you, Karen and family. He sure will be missed by many of us
Please take care Karen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bac, Anna, and family
Dylan B*********
December 1, 2019
Uncle Bill....How do you compress a life into a paragraph. When I was young and my father passed away Bill really stepped up. He shared so many great stories and knowledge. He gave me a red rider BB gun that I literally shot everything with including the glass front of the microwave. He gave me my first sales job selling glowing fishing lures, drove me to numerous hockey practices ensuring I was never overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning (His ford van had an exhaust leak), Taught me magic tricks, Devil's advocacy (a skill that I still savor using daily) He had a great Freddy Mercury impression (He would push out his teeth and strike Freddy like poses) I will never forget him.
Bob & Judy T*********
December 1, 2019
Having grown up in Cloverdale only one block away from the Mackays, all of us were pretty close growing up. Billy was a little younger than me, but I remember him well as a very caring and generous soul even as a youngster. We saw him occasionally after he grew up and moved away, and he always had a kind word and shared a few stories from "the good old days" in the flats. We were very shocked to learn of Billy's passing, and want to pass on our condolences to his family. Hold your memories close, and they will help sustain you through this difficult time.
Kathy S******
December 1, 2019
Ahhh seeing Billy’s face just makes me smile. We had wonderful conversations, he and I. Many many years ago he helped me through a tough time. A very kind soul.
Daphne & Kelly H****
November 30, 2019
Sending all our love to Karen and to Bill's family. His loss will be felt for a long time. We will miss his mischieveous smile and his hearty laugh. We are grateful that he gave so much love and care to my dear sister. May you all find comfort in the many memories of the good times with him as you mourn his loss. Gone too soon.
Erin S********
November 29, 2019
‘Tis a fearful thing
To love
What death can touch.
To love, to hope, to dream,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
Love,
But a holy thing,
To love what death can touch.
For your life has lived in me;
Your laugh once lifted me;
Your word was a gift to me;
To remember this brings painful joy.
'Tis a human thing, love,
A holy thing,
To love
What death can touch.
—Judah Halevi or Emanuel of Rome; 12th Century
Karen, thinking of you in the midst of your grief, here if you need anything, always, Erin