Obituary of Bill Forrest

September 20, 1932 - Carnduff, Saskatchewan

March 29, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

William (Bill) Forrest, the beloved husband of the late Dorothy Amy Forrest (nee Little), of Airdrie, AB, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the age of 91 years. He lived independently to the end and was a great example of living life to its fullest and being of service to others. Family was very important to him.

Bill First name of deceased was born in Carnduff, SK, on September 20, 1932, and attended Oakley School. He lived and worked across Canada, building everything from dams, schools, and churches to medical buildings in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Bill married Dorothy in 1954 and they were happily married for 65 years.

He was a proud member of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and was looking forward to his 55-year anniversary in September. He helped a lot of people find a better life. He was an active member of the Provincial Conservative Party and attended and hosted meetings regularly. He was happy to share his political point of view on how to “fix” the province or country with anyone who was willing to listen.

Bill loved to go fishing and was happiest to take his sons and grandchildren ocean fishing. He was a passionate gardener and had the showiest floral display on the block; Dahlias were his favorite.

He was a man of few words (unless it was politics), and when asked for advice he would say “Well, God hasn’t let you down yet, so I doubt he is going to start today”.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Kerry Hart, his three sons, Peter (Karen), Mark (Carol), and Doug (Ute); seven grandchildren, Trevor (Tina), Andrea (Dion), Jeremy (Jennifer), Kirk (Kristi), Hillary (Mike), Braeden, and Isaac; nine great-grandchildren, Ellie, Oliver, Franklin, Thompson, Kane, Cohen, Luna, Avery, and Bennett.

Bill is also survived by his two brothers, Robert (Karen), and Peter, and sister-in-law Zel; two sisters, Ellen (Bob) Anderson, and Patricia Tirpak (Frank); as well as more nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends than he could count.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, son David, brother Leslie, sister Eileen Hamilton (Orville), and sister-in-law Joanne Forrest.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at the Polaris Centre (#8 – 261051 Wagon Wheel View, Rocky View County, T4A 0E2) on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Polaris Centre.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 15 Colonel Baker Place N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 4Z3 Telephone: (403) 261-7219, www.cnib.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bill’s family here.

In living memory of Bill Forrest, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.