Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
2013
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
1505 Lillooet Road
North Vancouver, British Columbia
William Rivers Obituary
June 26, 1927-Jan. 9, 2014
Loving husband, father, grandfather and family doctor
Born in Edmonton, Bill grew up in Vancouver and attended UBC and later McGill. He married the love of his life, Sheila, in 1954. They lived in Vancouver and raised two daughters Jennifer and Robin. They moved to Eagle Island in West Vancouver where he developed his passion for sailing and beach combing. He was a family doctor on Fraser Street for decades where he enjoyed delivering babies and getting to know his patients. He loved celebrations and storytelling, dogs of all varieties, fly fishing and other outdoor adventures, books of all kinds, beer and potato chips. He had a stroke in 2009 which limited his mobility but not his sense of humour. Special thanks to the amazing staff at Lynn Valley Care Centre and Dr. S. Turris. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Salvation Army. A Celebration of Life will be held at North Shore Alliance Church on January 25 at 1 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Rivers
31 Entries
DEBBIE HALL
October 8, 2014
dr rivers was a great doctor of all times .he was my dr at age 5 and for years after that .i was very young maybe 6 when i had a little accident which stopped one of my kidneys .he helpedmy parent and i though that and many more things.dr rivers is awesome will never find another like him .i live now in northbay ontario and have a practioner nurse here and he tries to tell me that i have 2 kidneys.cant be true cause my doctor dr rivers yrs back was excellent .so i refuse to believe any other drs.RIP DR RIVERS
Donna Hall-Schellenberg
October 7, 2014
So sad to hear Dr. Rivers passed away. My favorite Doctor of all time and a man I truly respected and admired. Not only was he the most caring Doctor I've ever had, he was my mentor. He helped me through some very difficult times as a teenager and a young mother and I have always heeded his valuable advice.
He brought me into this world in 1961 and then my children in 1979 and 1982. He will truly be missed. RIP ...Dr. Rivers.
Myself and my children
Donna Salter
August 5, 2014
Dear Sheila,
I worked for your husband. Your family took me in and let me stay for a few days with the girls when you went on vacation. You taught me what a family was and carried the message forward. What kind and exceptional people you are. We fell out of touch, but you showed me the true love of family. I looked you up as I prepared to return to Vancouver. Your husband was the springboard to my career, because he and you offered inspiration. He was such a good man, and your kindness to me will always be remembered. That even one man could live such an honorable life and provide inspiration by example, is a statement to your dignity and honor. You welcomed me to a family I had never known, it was only a few months, but they are imprinted in my memory. Going back and forth to Eagle Island in a row boat and being exposed to a family that worked, provided me with the resolve to make mine better. A better mentor I could not have found. Blessings for you family.
May 27, 2014
Dr Rivers was a great man. He was a knowledgable and approachable man. He will be missed dearly.
Bryjack family
Leona Grasky
February 28, 2014
Dr. Rivers was my family Dr. since 1959 and he was the most caring and genuine man - he delivered all 3 of my children & I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. My sincerest condolences to you Sheila and the family. The greatest Dr. I have ever had and so concerned about his patients. We loved him.
Pamela Spouge
January 28, 2014
Bill was an "old style family physician". I still remember when he came to see one of our sick children, and we were told there was no need for us to come to the office, that he would drop by the house on his way home. He was so caring and such a good man
January 23, 2014
We are saddened to hear of Bill's passing.Bill & Shelia were wonderful neighbours for many years on Eagle Island.Bill was continually outside cleaning up his yard but for some unknown reason it never looked any different.All our dogs loved his company and we will all miss him.
George & Susan Sinclair
Jane Wills
January 21, 2014
Dear Sheila, I was so sorry to hear about Bill when I spoke to Louise yesterday. What a wonderful man he was. I remember especially his kindness to Maud when she was visiting but also I have very special memories of all the times I spent in your home for many celebrations, especially at Christmas and Thanksgiving. I felt part of the family and always welcome. John and I send our love and sympathies to you, Jennifer and Robin and their families. Affectionately, Jane
Karin & Donny Bergeron
January 21, 2014
Dr Rivers was our Dr and my Mom's for many many years will always remember him fondly.
Sheenagh McQuade-Rose
January 21, 2014
I was so very sorry to hear of Bill's passing from Jane this morning. Jane, Louise, Jenny and I shared a Christmas day with Sheila and Bill many years ago. It was the most wonderful and memorable Christmas, on Eagle Island with the whole family. Bill was a very special soul. Deepest sympathies are sent to Sheila, Jennifer, Robin and Louise.
January 20, 2014
Our thoughts are with you, Sheila. Gillian and Doug M
LLoyd Gall
January 20, 2014
My condolences Mrs. Rivers,
As a young teenager back in the early 1960's I was having problem with a couple of subjects in school, I mentioned it to him one visit. Dr.Rivers said he would ask his wife if she would help with my subjects. He did and Mrs. Rivers kindly agreed and I was invited to there home several times for help from Mrs. Rivers. He was a beyond the call of duty Doctor and a wonderful man. He also brought my kids in to this world in 1965 and 1968.
Mieke Beck (Koldewijn)
January 19, 2014
Mrs. Rivers, Jennifer, and Robin, I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Rivers passing. Mrs. Rivers, you and Dr. Rivers are two of the kindest people I have ever known. I remember when I was young, I practically lived at your place for a few years. The two of you, along with Jennifer and Robin, taking me up to "camp" at Eagle Island, going out in the boat, Dr. Rivers taking me in the sports car when he had to go to the hospital. It was all so awesome and something I have never forgotten. I have also never expressed how grateful I was to you both. Like I said, you may as well have had three or four kids in those years.
Kim Taylor (now Ivany)
January 18, 2014
I will always remember very fondly, the annual "swim around the island" events hosted by Bill and Sheila. I grew up on the treasured Eagle Island. It was home for my first 18 years. It's where I trick or treated, it's where I learned to sail, and it's where I played countless hours of tag with all the island kids.
And every so often, I had to visit the one and only Dr. Rivers for a high fever or ailment.
Your kids were my baby sitters...Sheila kept an eye out when we'd row across to the mainland in high wind conditions. My memories are vivid and I know I was lucky our lives crossed years ago.
All the best to family,
Kim Ivany (Taylor)
January 18, 2014
Growing up just down the street from the Rivers family, I have so many happy and funny memories of Bill. Watching him swing unto Wiltshire St. from 49th Ave. in his little Triumph sports car with his special driving cap on his head and a big smile on his face!! Bill acted like my surrogate father after my own father died when I was 17 - I don't think there was anything I could not talk comfortably about with Bill. I considered him a very special friend - there is the old saying that"they broke the mold when they made him" and that saying couldn't be any truer as applied to Bill Rivers. A wonderful friend, compassionate family doctor, great storyteller (especially his stories of medical school at McGill), just an all round beautiful human being. I feel blessed to have been able to know him and shared some life experiences with him. He will be greatly missed. Sheila, Jennifer and Robin, my thoughts go out to you - he was a gem!!
Denise Heydon (Ragan)
M J
January 18, 2014
I was one of the babies Dr. Rivers delivered back in 1964. He was our family doctor for many years. He was a wonderful person and a great doctor and I remember him well. My condolences to his family.
Monica Olesky
January 18, 2014
Dear Sheila, My sympathies to you and the girls at such a sad time. I have so many fond memories of you all on Eagle Island; Bill always steady at the tiller no matter what...and always, always with his wonderful sense of humour. I will miss being with you all on the 25th, but I will have you in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Monica (Taylor) Olesky
Andrea Wadman
January 17, 2014
Dr. Bill, (our childhood name for him that stuck for good) will always figure prominently in my memories of growing up. He was simply one of the kindest, funniest and most genuine people I know. How lucky I was to have his influence in my life through all the years we spent with your family! Thanks so much, Bill and Sheila, for all your love and support.
Tony & Lori Fontana
January 17, 2014
Dr. Rivers (Bill) was simply the BEST !
He was a wonderful doctor and a great friend, I can remember on my wedding day, Dr.Rivers sharing some of his wisdom on marriage with us,thanks Dr. Rivers,we listened, it worked!
He had the biggest heart and the loudest laugh.
The Fontana Family has so many wonderful memories.
Angela Fu
January 16, 2014
Dr. Rivers came to our ESL class to share some of his medical knowledge with the new immigrants in our community. I was impressed by his gentle and humble interaction with us. He will be missed.
Richard Darke
January 15, 2014
The Darke family of Minehead, Somerset in England remember Bill (and of course Sheila) fondly from the time they spent living in our house in the 1950's, and also later contact in Vancouver. Our condolencies to Bill's family.
Susie Darke
January 15, 2014
I am so glad that I happened to pick up the paper yesterday. Bill Rivers - one of Geoffrey Darke's favourite people! I believe that I dimly remember that Bill and Sheila lived on the top floor of The Beacon, Minehead, Somerset when I was a small child. I fondly recall a visit to that amazing house on Eagle Island when Geoffrey and his wife Liz came over to visit me in Vancouver many years ago. Condolences from the Darke family.
lori gall
January 15, 2014
48 yrs. ago Dr. Rivers delivered my first baby and helped me a 17 yr. old girl with lots of advice and support.
He also delivered my second baby and referred me to a doctor friend of his when I moved to Salmon Arm who told me lots of humorous things that Bill Rivers had done. He was one of a kind man...and doctor.
I remember him with great respect and warm memories.
January 14, 2014
Dr. Rivers, you were a great man, great doctor, great mentor, great boss, family friend. Terrible chart man.....lol All tho we always had a good laugh about it at the end of the day. We will miss you, the world was a better place because you were in it. Thanks for all your good advice and great sailing. Rest in Peace Doc
Louisa Penson (deVos)
David Berrington
January 14, 2014
My sincere condolences to his family. I met Dr. Rivers the day I was born in 1969 and he was my family doctor until we moved away from Vancouver 10 years later. I remember him as a kind and caring doctor.
Alix Drabek
January 14, 2014
Dr. Rivers delivered me back in 1968 and was our family doctor until he retired. His calm and understanding personality, combined with a great sense of humour, made him a terrific doctor. We'll all miss him.
Stephanie Davis
January 14, 2014
Bill's pipe. Whenever I smell a pipe I still, to this day, I think of Bill Rivers. Dr Bill & Sheila were great family friends until they "ran away" to Eagle Island. I remember once on a stormy day I decided to row around the island and got stuck on the back side of the island. It was Bill who came out to save me. The River's were the ones who taught me to water ski and to fall without getting a butt full of saltwater. Sheila was the one who was there with my mom after my dad died and came over to look after my younger sister and I amidst all that chaos. It was an unwritten rule that the River's family was over for every Christmas Eve, to which they upheld year after year. Bill was also our family doctor, open ear to listen, offer sage advise and to tell the most hilarious stories of work and life. Bill was the only one that my grandmother would share her 28 year old scotch with, after a housecall. Sometimes I think he stopped in on his way home just to share and nip with Gram. In her eyes the sun rose and set with Bill...Bay-le. She truly loved Bill. I think it was because of Tug that our family got our first dog. Seeing Bill's green beast come peeling around the corner onto our street, literally on 2 wheels, always turned heads. Bill was the most kind, generous, caring, loving, hilarious man I have ever met. I have so many happy memories of the River family. With my mom at the front desk, she and Bill ran an amazingly efficient and caring office. The office Christmas party for the patients was legendary. People like him do not come around too often and I am proud and honoured to have known him. Sheila, Robin and Jennifer please accept my most sincere sympathy.
Katherine Rivers
January 14, 2014
Bill could not have been a more fun and loving uncle. I will never forget Eagle Island and our cherished adventures there. The family summers spent with Bill, Sheila and Almaz were truly special. I feel a great loss that he has passed and my thoughts are with his beloved family.
Deanne (Giesbrecht) Zeidler
January 13, 2014
Dear Mrs. Rivers, Robin, Jennifer and families,
What a great loss! I so very fondly recall Dr Rivers' incredible sense of humour as well as his compassion (which made a big impression on my as a young girl.) I am sending my sympathy and prayers for you and your family as you mourn his passing.
Dawn Carstensen nee Smith
January 13, 2014
Im sorry, he brought me into the world in 1961. Saw him as my GP until he retired. Never found another Doctor that was more personable or caring. He will truly be missed in this world.
Andersons
January 13, 2014
Wonderful and caring doctor to my family when we lived in Vancouver.
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
Memorial Events
for William Rivers
Funeral services provided by:
First Memorial Funeral Services & Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J2J1