William Leonard Q.C. "Bill" BRITTON

BRITTON, William "Bill" Leonard, Q.C.
December 15, 1934 – February 6, 2017
Our beloved Bill ended his earthly life peacefully at home, cared for lovingly in his last days by family, who have been constant beneficiaries of his fidelity and generosity.
Bill was a man tirelessly devoted to his Catholic faith; wife Linda; children Christopher (Libby) Britton, Angela (Bob) Christianson, Daniel (Jodie) Britton, Jane (Paul) Beauchemin and foster daughter Claudette (Peter) Harbachuk; 24 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; his predeceased parents Leonard and Jeanne; sisters Mildred (Bill+) Winter, Jeanne (Bob) Latella, Frances (Earl) Flynn, Marie (James+) Coombs and Margaret (Tom) Prosser; sisters-in-law Sheila (Bob) Holzer and Anne (Brian) Ross; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill lived boldly, determinedly, with humour and dedication to the many depending on him, beginning in childhood as the only brother to five sisters.
Happiness for Bill was family and friends gathered noisily around, enjoying whatever the occasion. How fitting that in his last hours, a beautiful reverent Sunday Mass was celebrated by his bed, preceded by the angelic singing on EWTN television, and followed by the boisterous anticipation, excitement and execution of Super Bowl LI, with attendant cheering and booing, rattling windows and doors.
Bill's was a grateful heart. He understood how privileged and beholden he was for many associations over the course of a long and varied life: Catholic Central High School, London, Ontario, University of Western Ontario School of Business Administration and the Mustang Football team coached by Dr. John Metras, University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, the BC Lions Football Club, the Calgary Stampeder Football Club, Junior Achievement of Canada, Bennett Jones Law Firm and Partners, the Southern family and ATCO Group and Spruce Meadows, the Bowlen family and the Denver Broncos Football Club, the De Byre family and Hanzell Winery, his generous and loyal secretaries, especially Liz Grossick, attendance at and promotion of the Arts, Pogues/Executive Health Club, the YMCA, Bankers Hall Club, Calgary Petroleum Club, The Ranchmen's Club, Calgary Golf & Country Club, sponsored children through Chalice Canada, the Legionnaires of Christ and Regnum Christi, Clear Water Academy, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary.
The above list speaks eloquently to Bill's root conviction of the duality of Man, as both body and spirit in the Image of God. He well understood therefore, that a good life entails the exercise of both spirit and body, intentionally and with great gusto.
Bill's family is grateful to Maison Senior Living, Randy Trafford, physicians Barry Bayliss, David Hogan, Doug Caine and Helios Health & Wellness, Carmen Gittens and Alberta Health Services Palliative Care for their care and support.
Tributes and Funeral Vigil: Sacred Heart Church, 1307 14 Street SW, Calgary, AB on February 15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass: St. Mary's Cathedral, 219 18 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB on February 16, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. (please note parking is limited).
In lieu of flowers, donations would be happily received by Chalice Canada, Clear Water Academy Foundation or KidSport Calgary. Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES. (403) 265-1199.