FRANCIS
On May 5, 2011 William Lyle Francis age 87 of Rimbey, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Wetaskiwin Hospital.
Lyle is lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Joan, daughter, Betty Lynn and Bob Blackmore; son, Bill and Sheila Francis, grandchildren: Jo-Ann, Jill, Ryan and Amanda, Dan (Blackmore), Dana, Justin (Francis); great grandchildren, Ryah and Kherington (Blackmore).
Lyle was predeceased by his parents, William and Elizabeth (Lloyd), siblings; Earl, Lloyd, Ethel (Harley), Betty (Bourk) and Annie (Carberry).
Lyle was born June 18, 1923 in Springwater Sask., 22 miles West of Biggar. After High School he joined the Air Force. 2½ years later he was overseas in the operational training unit and made diversion raids over Europe as a tail gunner in a Lancaster Bomber. After his discharge he met Joan Harbord and they were married the following June in 1947.
Lyle worked as an auto parts man in Landis Saskatchewan in 1948 and later Watrous in 1949 where they purchased their first home and Betty Lynn was born. Lyle moved on to Redwater Motors then to Wetaskiwin working at Pahal Motors. In 1956 Lyle went to Mulhurst to work at the Bonnie Glen Texaco Gas Plant. In 1958 Bill was born.
In 1972 Lyle and the family moved to Rimbey where Lyle worked at the Gilby gas plant until 1981 when he moved west of Rimbey to operate the Open Creek gas plant. He retired from Texaco in 1985. Lyle was actively involved with the Rimbey United Church and the Rimbey Legion and he developed a passion for golf.
Lyle kept himself busy in retirement, serving with the Housing Board, and working as a jail guard for the RCMP. He also sang with the Forshee Farmers and the United Church Choir. Lyle was well known as a Mr. Fix It and for his ability to repair bikes. He also enjoyed his floor curling, bowling and loved to dance.
A celebration of Lyle's life will be held from the Rimbey United Church on Saturday May 14, 2011 at 2:00 PM. Interment of Lyle's cremated remains will occur at a later date in the Wetaskiwin Cemetery.
If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Rimbey United Church PO Box 7, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 or to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre PO Box 440 Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 or to the Rimbey Legion.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca
WILSON'S FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
serving Central Alberta with locations in Rimbey and Lacombe in charge of the arrangements. Phone: (403) 843-3388 or (403) 782-3366.
"A Caring Family, Caring For Families"