Obituary of Bill Dicker

Mr. Bill Dicker, beloved husband of the late Peggy Dicker, passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. He was ninety-two years of age. The funeral will be held on Friday, January 18 at 2:00pm at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Pastor Steve Rosluk officiating. At the age of 92, William Frank Dicker passed away peacefully and quickly at his home in Yorkton. Predeceased by his wife Peggy (Jan. 30th 2018); son Doug; parents Frank and Ann; sisters Betty Short and Pat Wiley; and by a brother Fred Dicker. Bill is survived by his son Jim of Yorkton; daughter-in-law Jann (Antler Lake, AB); grandson Dustin (Shantell) (Elk Island, AB); great grandchildren: McKenzie and Dylan; a sister-in-law, Shirley Dicker of Edmonton, as well as Peggy's family and numerous nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Yorkton, Bill was a typical young boy, swimming in the local 'Bows' river with friends, helping with the local harvest, and excelling at school. His pranks at school were legendary and remembered fondly by his school chums over the years. When World War II started Bill and his fellow school mates were the first to sign up, and of course, some were under age. Assigned to the Royal Canadian Navy, he spent three years on the HMCS Uganda. His tour included the Pacific and Atlantic war theatres. As typical with a lot of war veterans, he did not speak of his experiences much, but when he did, he had an attentive audience. Upon returning from war, like most vets, he was offered land or schooling for a trade or profession. Bill chose schooling and travelled to Vancouver to pursue a trade in refrigeration. During this time in Vancouver, he was offered a blind date with a young woman named Peggy Beattie. At the time money was very tight, and transportation was needed! Bill and his friend and fellow vet Huey Betts purchased two used Ariel motorcycles. Bill's future mother-in-law told him that she did not want to hear "that loud contraption" around her home in North Vancouver. He would be relegated to pushing his bike to and from their home! After a brief courtship and romance, Bill and Peggy were wed in North Vancouver on March 12, 1949. With schooling complete they decided to head east back to Yorkton. They made one stop in Edmonton to work for Bill's father who was involved with the first oil strike in Leduc, Alberta. After six months in the oil patch, they made their way to Yorkton. After a brief job with International Harvester, Bill and Peggy started North Eastern Refrigeration. Bill was very busy year round and they grew the business large enough to have a comfortable living. It was in this time when two little boys joined the family, Doug in 1953 and Jim in 1958. In the early seventies Bill and Peggy decided to sell the business, and it was purchased by Wally Schmidt and his family. The business exists todays as Penguin Refrigeration. Retirement did not sit well with Bill, and in 1973, he started another business in Yorkton with Ken Tate. The endeavor was called Sportsland and sold snowmobiles and boats and outboard motors. The building was located at the present site of today's McDonalds in Yorkton. Feeling the need for another retirement, they sold the business so Bill could put more effort in to rebuilding their cottage at Madge Lake, and he did just that. Over the years they rebuilt the little cabin into a year round cottage that they and family and friends enjoyed winter and summer. Many Christmas's were spent at Madge Lake. The annual tree was cut fresh from the forest around the cabin and it was truly a winter wonderland. Bill and Peggy travelled very little, but when they did, it was very epic. A trip to Spain in 1977 with friends, the Carnduffs, Sharrocks, and Korbs, and a cruise to Alaska with Peggy's sister and husband along with Irving and Carol Fraser was the extent of their globe-trotting. Fishing and hunting were a big part of Bill's life. Both activities put lots of food in the freezer for many years and as some in attendance can attest, he was a very happy man when in the boat or on a hunt with his best friend. Snowmobiling was also a big part of family life for Bill. From the mid 60's with the Carnduff's. Winter weekends were spent with family and friends to wherever the little machines would take them. At the peak of this adventure, was the racing. His competitive side came roaring to the forefront, and he loved nothing more than to have the young people drop in to the garage at home for some of "The Mechanics Special Fine Tuning." Bill had some very special traits. His integrity was second to none. If he said he was going to be somewhere, do something or help someone, it was written in stone. His handshake was his word. In the 1990's, Bill and Peggy sold their time share condo at Fairmont Hot Springs. The buyer suggested they have a lawyer to handle the transaction. Bill stuck out his hand and claimed, "This is all we need." Generosity was also a deep trait for Bill. If someone asked or needed help, he was there. His advice was highly regarded over the years. Bill was a very proud naval veteran and a very proud member of the Yorkton Branch of the Legion. He missed very few Remembrance Day ceremonies and attended almost all of the color parties he was asked to attend. The loss of their son Doug in 1996 was heartbreaking, as well as the loss of Peggy in 2018, Bill's beloved wife of 68 years. Bill's health took a bit of a slide since Peggy died on January 30 of 2018, but he kept a brave face and struggled along. He was hospitalized briefly in November, but came out swinging. On January 8 at 8:00 pm he passed away suddenly and peacefully. After a nice supper of soup and sandwich, at home, at the dining room table, with his son sitting across from him, he was gone. God bless this one of a kind and wonderful man. Service Details. Service When: Friday, January 18th, 2019 2:00pm Location: Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Address: Highway #10 East YORKTON, SK