With much sadness, we announce the passing of William Gordon Anthony on February 7^th, 2021, at the age of 75.  Bill, born December 1, 1945, was the only child of William Anthony and Eunice (Newton) Anthony.  William and Eunice took great pride in their son.  He was truly the apple of their eye and Bill always spoke very respectfully of his parents.

Bill was born and raised in the Battlefords and spent much of his adult life there.  He graduated from North Battleford High School in 1964.  He then attended Moose Jaw Technical Institute for two years and obtained a diploma in Applied Arts – Accounting, in 1966.  After graduating he worked as auditor for Federated Co-operatives, Saskatoon, until 1972, then moved to the Rosetown Co-op as office manager/accounting.  In the fall of 1973 Bill entered the U of S and obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) in 1976.  He then moved to Calgary to attend the University of Calgary and obtained a Bachelor of Social Work in 1979.  After graduation Bill was employed as counsellor at the Edwards Residential Centre Group Home in North Battleford.  He remained there until 1981.  Bill was then employed by the Department of Social Services until retirement.  He worked in Income Security, High Risk Youth Offender Program, Community Youth Worker-Probation and Secure Custody (Youth) at the North Battleford Youth Centre.

Early letters of recommendation praise Bill as one who was liked by his colleagues and who was well suited to his chosen profession as social worker.  He had a gift for working with those who needed help.  One reference considered him “quiet, yet able to make his presence known; skillful in directing untoward resident behaviour in the required direction, and with a gentle understanding of the residents’ life problems.”

When Bill’s work as a Youth Worker required him to attend court he would often say that the justice system expected him to have a magic wand and a crystal ball to “fix” everyone, so a co-worker bought a wizard for his desk!  That wizard was returned to his co-worker when he retired and when she retired it was given to another social worker for help with the required “wisdom”!  Bill had a keen sense of what needed to be done in a crisis situation and was invaluable in those times.  If a fellow worker was overwhelmed and Bill had a bit of extra time he was the one who would step up and volunteer to help.

Bill enjoyed many hobbies but his greatest loves were hunting and fishing.  He loved the outdoors.  It was the one place he could relax   He particularly loved to fish with Jesse and with his cousin, Jack.  Bill didn’t like to eat fish so he turned them into pies.  He would give fish to his neighbours and they gave him pies in return   It was a win/win trade.  He enjoyed gardening, especially his tomatoes and flowers.

Bill will be remembered for his quick wit, his wry sense of humour and his love of stories.  He had stories for every occasion.  His life experience provided a rich source for the tales he so loved to tell.

Bill was a private man with a gruff exterior.  But his friends knew his other side; generous to a fault, grateful for a homecooked meal or help with his computer when it wasn’t working right.  He was a good friend indeed!

In spite of suffering advanced COPD, Bill enjoyed his last years at BDCC.  He was well-liked by nurses and staff.  He purchased many a chocolate bar; some for himself and some (as we liked to tease him) as bribes for the nurses.  The first couple of years he was able to drive his truck during the warm months and go for coffee with his friends.  How he loved his cup of Tims!  You didn’t go visit him at BDCC without a cup of his favourite!

Bill will be dearly missed by those who knew him well.  He was a very private man who valued the friendships that meant so much to him.  He was especially close to his cousin, Jack Illingworth and family.  Very dear friends were John Armstrong and Kathy Byl and their boys.  They camped together, enjoyed festive meals together and John and Kathy, along with other friends, were a great help to Bill when he found he could no longer remain in his own home.

Bill was predeceased by his parents.  He is survived by many cousins in both the Anthony and Newton families.

Memorial donations may be made to the Battlefords District Care Centre.  Here Bill was happy and extremely well cared for during his last years. Condolences for the family may be left at www.SallowsandMcDonald.com. Sallows & McDonald Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 306.445.2418.

• Date : 2021-02-07
• Location : Battleford, Saskatchewan