William Joseph Feyrer

William Joseph FEYRER

August 6, 1938 - December 27, 2024

Born and raised on a farm outside Cayley, in southern Alberta, William (Bill) Feyrer, youngest son of Laura and Joe Feyrer, developed a profound respect for the natural environment and a deep compassion for those less fortunate. His life was a testament to his commitment to economic and social justice, his love for his life, family, and the outdoors, and his belief in leaving the world better than he found it.

Bill deeply valued human connection, cherishing his extended family in Alberta and Oregon and prioritizing the annual Feyrer Park reunion on the Molalla River. His travels to Russia, Korea, Japan, Honduras, Ghana, and Cameroon, along with welcoming Pearson College students into the family home with his wife, Joan, further broadened his perspective and strengthened his appreciation for the bonds that unite us.

As a dedicated Rotarian, Bill worked tirelessly on projects that transformed lives in Central America. He helped mothers gain work skills, enabling their children to stay in school, provided school supplies to thousands of Honduran students, and brought fresh water systems to communities in Honduras and Guatemala. Friends wishing to support Help Honduras Registered Charity may visit www.helphonduras.ca or the Help Honduras William Feyrer Legacy Fund.

A professional engineer, Bill championed thoughtful resource use, often encouraging others to reconsider the environmental impact of materials like concrete. He advocated for timber as a more sustainable alternative, driven by his understanding of the need to reduce carbon footprints. In the 1970s, he became an entrepreneur, ran Harjim’s Machine Works in Victoria, and transitioned to an 18-year sales career in sawmill machinery with Nicholson Manufacturing.

At home, Bill was an early adopter of sustainable practices. He was one of the first in his community to install solar panels and drive an electric car, reflecting his concern for the planet's future. His love for nature also made him an avid hiker and trailblazer in a literal sense-he played a key role, alongside his close friend Gill Parker, in developing the 800-kilometer Vancouver Island Trail, an enduring gift to his community. He enjoyed many hiking adventures as part of the “Three Musketeers” with Gill and friend Peter Berrang on backcountry trails in Patagonia, the Salzkammergut, the Yorkshire Dales, the Rockies, and Vancouver Island.

In recent years, Bill faced prostate cancer with courage and grace. Despite excellent care from the BC Cancer Clinic and Dr. Phillip Brierley, the disease progressed, leaving him increasingly weak and dependent on palliative care. Always a pragmatic and thoughtful person, Bill chose to access Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) when his quality of life declined beyond what he felt was bearable. He passed peacefully on December 27, surrounded by love, and chose a green burial at the Royal Oak Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held in the spring.

Bill was predeceased by his two older sisters, Ann and Margaret, and is survived by his loving wife, Joan; his two children, Laura (Liam) and Kasper (Hannah); and his cherished granddaughter, Ione (13). Bill's legacy is one of compassion, service, and an enduring commitment to a better future.