1961 - 2022
It is with profound sadness to announce the passing of William Anderson Sinclair at the age of 61. Bill will be painfully missed by his soulmate of 22 years, Julie, his wife of 9 years, and stepchildren Brendan and Chelsea (Jacob); mother Margaret; sister Karen (Craig); niece Tessa (Nick) and their children Addilee and Gemma; niece Molly (Evan) and her children Jack and George. Bill was predeceased by his father, Donald, in 1976, and his Uncle & namesake the Honorable Chief Justice William Robert Sinclair in 1998.
Bill was a gentle, kind, and humble man who could never imagine the positive impact he had on all who knew him.
Bill worked at his summer job in the industrial industry, in Sales and as a store Manager, for a couple decades before returning to school in his 40's to realize his dream of becoming an American Sign Language Interpreter, graduating with a Diploma with Distinction in January 2010. Bill continued ASL training that specialized in medical and mental health settings. Bill worked as a Staff Interpreter at Employabilities supporting persons with disabilities. Bill proudly established his own business, Sign Me Up Interpreting Services, and found great personal fulfillment in his new career. Bill was well-known and respected in both the Deaf and Interpreting communities, and was a proud member of ASLIA since 2009.
Bill’s love for music was a driving force in his life, volunteering with the Edmonton Blues Festival every year since inception in 1999. Bill's position on the Shuttle Crew allowed him to drive innumerable talented musicians during their stay, and in later years also worked as Shuttle Crew Coordinator which allowed him more time on site to enjoy the music. Many musicians came to know and trust Bill, requesting he be their driver. Bill enjoyed being a member of The Blues Foundation in Memphis.
Bill proudly played on the St. Albert Slo-Pokes softball team from 1980 through 2000, and was the last original Slo-Poke when the team won Molson’s Slo-Pitch National Championship in 2000. Bill’s love of hockey was a strong presence, he played for a number of years, later went on to referee the game, and was a long-time Chicago Black Hawks fan until the later years when he found himself cheering for the Edmonton Oilers. Bill also enjoyed playing golf, including league golf, he did love the game although he would say the game didn’t always love him.
Bill was an amazing Fur-dad to Spike, Billy, Mattie, Florissa, and Ming Ming; he took pride in how both animals and children gravitated towards his gentle soul. Mattie Cat was his constant companion, never leaving his side until she passed away 39 days before Bill, he took comfort in knowing he’d see her again.
Bill deeply cared for others, and was a committed blood donor donating over 70 times until his own health prevented him from doing so.
Bill was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2018 and battled the deadly disease until it took his life 4 years plus a 1 day after learning of this new unchosen insidious path. Bill was a strong man, he was a brave man, he never complained and was willing to try any treatment to slow the vicious path of the cancer that took over his body. Bill was able to remain at home throughout his fight, being cared for by the love of his life, Julie, up until the last week of life when he moved to Pilgrims Hospice, where Julie and pup Florissa remained with him; Bill never stopped resisting the changes that cancer had done to his body. Bill passed away peacefully as Julie held him, and he was finally free of the pain and the despair that cancer had brought to him. Bill’s final message was to get your prostate checked to buy more life time, and to donate blood to give others more life time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pilgrims Hospice Society, 9808 – 148 St.
Edmonton, AB. T5N 3E8.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Albert Funeral Home, 9 Muir Drive, St. Albert.
Per Bill's wishes, masks are requested to be worn at his Celebration of Life.
To view the service or to send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com.
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Chapel
(780) 458-2222
