Obituary - William Andreas

Mr. William “Billy” Paul Andreas, beloved husband of Sofia Andreas of Medicine Hat, passed away peacefully at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, at the age of 81 years. Billy was born and raised on the home farm south of Lancer, SK. This is where he gained his love and expertise as a proud farmer. On July 10, 1950 Billy married the love of his life, Sofia and together they raised eight children. He was proud of his family and enjoyed seeing and visiting the grandchildren and great-grandchildren in his retirement years. Billy was honoured to be a lifetime member of the Lancer Knights of Columbus and was a long time member of Sacred Heart Parish in Lancer before moving to St. Patrick’s Parish in Medicine Hat six years ago. Billy loved to visit with people and was a strong community leader. His mind was always thinking of the future visions and worked hard to achieve them. He was on the Board that speer headed the building of the Lancer Hall and the Beaver Flats community, and was instrumental in bringing the Canadian Days to Mesa, Arizona. Billy never missed coffee row and enjoyed coaching hockey, fishing, hunting, dancing, curling, playing ball, golf, card playing and casino trips as often as he could. He was an exceptional host and loved to entertain with friends and neighbours, especially the practical jokes he love to play on everyone. You could often hear him say “so it goes” or “Mom, let her walk” or “A man can never have too much ice cream”. Billy will be forever missed in the hearts of his family, wife, Sofia; his eight children, Carol Ann (Doug) Getz, Randy (Debbie) Andreas, Arden (Sherry) Andreas, Louise (Ken) Trembath, Mark (Lori) Andreas, Marcel (Anita) Andreas, Paulette (Mike) Heard, Laura (Barry) Tuchscherer; 23 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brother, Tom (Amelia) Andreas; brother-in-law, Vic (Diana) Marion; four sister-in-laws, Dorothy Andreas, Kay Andreas, Rose O’Kane, Shiela Marion as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Billy was predeceased by his parents, George and Barbara Andreas, eight brothers and two sisters, Joe, Ben, Pete, Steve, Annie, Katie, George Jr, Xavier, Tom, John; and numerous brother and sister-in-laws. Vigil Prayers will be recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, November 26, 2010, between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 238 - 2 Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat on Saturday, Novembe 27, 2010, at 11:00 A.M. with Father Long Vu and Father John Maes con-celebrating. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in memory of Bill may be made directly to the Riverview Care Centre Resident Council, 603 Prospect Drive S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4C2, or to St. Patrick’s Parish, 238 - 2 Avenue N.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 6A1.