William Jeffery

The Jeffery family would like to announce the passing of William George Jeffery on March 2, 2024 at 74 years of age. Our beloved Bill wanted us to celebrate his passing, not mourn it.

Bill was an energetic man with many interests.  He saw farming as so much more than a job – he loved his place in the world, never failing to see the beauty of the sunrise in the morning, the wet new calf being nuzzled by her mother, the gentleness of the spring rain and the scent of the breeze in the barley field.  He planted an apple tree everywhere he lived and managed to convince many of the women he knew to bring him his favorite dessert, pie (preferably saskatoon, but any pie would do).   Bill deeply valued education, returning to university when he was 47 years old to study something that captured his imagination – Russian History.  It’s still not clear why all of his university classmates called him ‘Wild Bill’, but we are sure there is a story there.

Bill’s greatest legacy was his beautiful marriage of 48 years to his best friend and wife, Patricia.  It took him just three months to propose - after all, he would say, he knew what he wanted and wasn’t about to let anybody else get ahead of him! Together, they raised a family of two daughters and two sons, all of whom he loved, cherished and taught how to love, to live with purpose and to help those most in need.    Bill took great joy in his 14 grandchildren, sharing in their growth and success.  

Bill leaves to continue his work his wife, Patricia, his daughter, Laura Gaudet (Patrick) and grandchildren Spencer, Madeline, Theodore and Noa, his son, Kevin Jeffery (Kendra Burton) and grandchildren Fallon and Franklin, his son, Scott Jeffery (Meagan Townsend) and grandchildren Peyton, Corbin, Avery and Leo, and his daughter, Erin Jaffray (Cody) and grandchildren Alexandria, Reagan, Carly and Jocelyn.  Bill’s brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob (Cheri) and Dan (Dorothy) and his mother-in-law, Jolane Sekura also celebrate his life.  Bill was predeceased by his parents, William Sr. and Robenia Jeffery and his father-in-law, John F. Sekura.  

Honorary Pallbearers representing Bill’s friends from Olds College, Olds, and Drayton Valley are Lorne Fleishacker, Pat Schiller, Teddy Hemmings, Rick Cowling, Garth Dagg, Art Gorda, Ron Kozial, and Randy Vos.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 4708 50 Ave, Drayton Valley, Alberta at 12:00 PM.

Inurnment will take place at Rocky Rapids Cemetery following lunch.

If friends so desire, donations in memory of Bill can be made to:

Drayton Valley Health Foundation, Palliative Care Renovation

4550 Madsen Ave. Drayton Valley, AB. T7A 1N8

Arrangements in care of Harvey Giesbrecht and Colleen Sekura. 587 673-1688

Condolences may be sent to:

Drayton Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services

4029-48 Street

Drayton Valley, AB.  T7A 1E1