BILL BOAK

BOAK, Group Captain W.A. (Bill), DFC, CD
"The stars are close and friendly, in my grasp, they seem to lie.
The clouds are soft and white like feather-beds across the open sky."
Passing peacefully at the Perley on June 1st at the age of 93, Bill heads off on another adventure, leaving behind memories cherished by Audrey, his wife of 59 years, daughters Karyn LaBelle (Kirk) and Jeanette Schelin (Lee), sisters Jessica Campney and Margaret Small, brother Aaron (Bernice), nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and many friends.
A well-known storyteller, Bill's favourites were about life growing up in Bruno, Saskatchewan with his four brothers and two sisters on the Hilltop during the Dirty Thirties, horses Slim and Duke, King and Mag and hopping freight cars.
Bill was fiercely proud of his 25-year career with the RCAF. Enlisting at 22, his ambition was to be a fighter pilot but his skills at navigation took him to the "other seat". Bill served with the 406 Squadron during WWII and with pilots Etienne and Bannock, flew Mosquitos in offensive operations against the German Night Fighter Force. Known for great calm and courage under fire, Bill was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his services.
Yearning to pursue a career in medicine, he left the service in '46 to take Pre-Med training, obtaining an honours degree in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia and falling in love with the West Coast in the process. But with things heating up in the Korean War, in 1950 he returned to the RCAF and his flying duties.
Bill needed no encouragement to talk of the men he served with or postings at Cold Lake, North Bay (433 Squadron), Staff College and at AFHQ. Bill was the recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal among many other commendations. His flying log book is held in the Air Museum Archives in Ottawa and many of his exploits appear in published works.
Retiring in 1970, Bill joined P.S. Ross and Partners, Management Consultants and led projects in Australia, Barbados, and Korea, but was most proud of his time consulting on building railways in Malawi, Africa. He was also the Secretary for the Canadian Fighter Pilots Association for many years.
An avid golfer, he was president of the Kanata Golf Club, a member of Irish Hills Golf Course and one of few who can claim to have shot a 76 at 76.
An outdoorsman, he enjoyed cross-country skiing, walking the woodlands and was happiest when working with his hands: landscaping, creating patios, walkways and stonewalls; all demonstrated his keen eye and artistic bent.
Bill loved to travel and visited many countries with wife Audrey including Hong Kong, Portugal, Greece, England. France and Cuba. He's been from one end of Canada to the other and covered the United States.
Bill was a thinker, a voracious reader and advisor, interested in politics, religion, climate change and science.
Music played a big part in his life. He was an accomplished fiddler and could play by ear, picking up any instrument and getting a dance party going.
Last years were spent at the Perley receiving excellent care and making new friends who will remember the fellow with the great smile, a wink in those blue eyes, and always ready to play a tune on his harmonica. His family wishes to thank all the staff of Rideau 2 South for their kindness, especially Brenda, Nicola, Ted, Mary, Kofi, Sophia, Flor, Zuba and Aston.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Pinecrest Visitation Centre, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa with a celebration of life to follow Friday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. at the same location. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre Foundation or the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton Ontario would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.colefuneralservices.com