SAWDON, William "Bill" Clifford: October 19, 1923 - July 19, 2015. Bill passed away peacefully in the beautiful city of Kelowna in his 92nd year surrounded by his loving children. Bill was born and raised in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba. In 1940, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Canadian Army and was deployed to England. He proudly served with the Royal Regiments of the Canadian Artillery (RCA) and the South Saskatchewan Regiment (SSR). With the Canadian 2nd Division, he participated in the liberation of Caen, Falaise, the Channel Ports, Beveland, the Scheldt, Holland and Germany. Bill also participated and survived the Dieppe Raid of 1942. Following the end of the war, Bill returned to Canada with his war bride Dora (McPhail). He remained in the Canadian Army serving with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) including participating in peacekeeping missions with NATO and United Nations. He was honourably discharged from the military in 1973 and then started new career with CIBC in Calgary. Dora passed away in 1981. Bill met Mary, who also worked at CIBC, and they were married in 1987. In 1988, Bill and Mary retired from CIBC and moved to Kelowna, BC. During their retirement years, they travelled extensively around the world. Bill was sadly predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Ivy Sawdon (Baker), his first and second wives, Dora and Mary, brothers Jim, Bob and Don and sister Marjory (Keller). Bill is survived by his sister Barbara; children Martin (Linda), Bruce (Sherry), Louise (Randy) and Gary (Billie); grandchildren Julann, Kim, Anna, Thato, Nicole, Becky, Philip, Tshepho, Mosetsana and great grandsons, Tristan and Aidan. A celebration of Bill's life officiated by Reverend Richard Chung will be held at the Springfield Funeral Chapel, 2020 Springfield Rd, Kelowna BC, V1Y 5V8 on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 10 a.m. (10:00 hrs). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy Fund. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Dr. Mark Clark and the amazing staff at Orchard Manor for the love and care provided to Bill. Internment in the Field of Honour at the Rocky View Garden of Peace Cemetery, Calgary, Alberta, will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sprindfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077.
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