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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
JACKSON, William James - late of Regina, Sask. and formerly of Estevan Sask., passed away peacefully at the age of 92 at the Regina General Hospital on Thursday, April 1, 2021. Bill will be forever lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Rita (nee Ulmer) and their loving family: son Jeffrey (Bonnie) and grandchildren Daniel (Tanya) and great-grandchildren Cole and Eli, Michelle (Taryn Carr) and great-granddaughter Leia; daughter Bonny (Lindsey Roy) and grandsons Schuyler and Jordan. Born in Qu'Appelle, Sask. on December 4, 1928, Bill moved to Bienfait in 1941 and to Estevan in 1945 before joining the Canadian Navy. Returning to Estevan in 1948, he first worked for Quist's grocery store and later joined the CPR as a trainman. During this time, he went to a dance in Macoun and met his wife to be and life long dance partner, Rita Ulmer. Bill and Rita settled in Estevan and had two children, Jeff and Bonny. As the railroad had him away from home frequently, he quit the CPR and joined the Royalite Oil Company as a bulk fuel agent. The company transferred them to Weyburn for two and a half years but Bill decided his future was elsewhere. In 1968 he bought the established Bastian Furs in Estevan so the family moved back home. The Bastians stayed on for 6 months to teach Bill and Rita about furs and repairs. Later Bill and Rita branched out and expanded into Ladies Wear. Bill's sparkling blue eyes, wit and charm allowed them to run a very successful business for 18 years before selling and retiring in 1987. Bill took up the sport of golf in 1955 while working on the railroad. While waiting for the trains to unload, he went across the border to Portal's sand green course. It wasn't long before he became one of the better golfers in Estevan and the surrounding area. Over the years, he won many championships and he continued to a have a strong love of the game. In fact, he played his last game when he was 89! After selling the business, Bill and Rita became snowbirds for the next 19 years. First they had a motorhome and they travelled with friends to golf courses over most of the southern states. Then they settled in an over 55 park first in Tucson and then Mesa, Arizona. Besides golf, summers at home in Estevan were enjoyed with gardening and grandchildren. Bill loved berry picking and had a long standing competition of wine making with his brother Bob and sister Ruth. Bill was always willing to jump in and be of service. He was club president of the Woodlawn Golf Course for many years, as well as a member of both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Elks Club. Even in Arizona, he served as Master of Ceremony of the park's functions as well as the recycling caretaker. He was an elder at St. Peter's Lutheran Church for many years. Bill and Rita moved to Regina to The Bentley in 2017 where Bill enjoyed good health and many blessings right up to his last couple days. He will be dearly missed but was surrounded with love as he went home to be with His Father. Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for Bill's family - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director. (The Estevan Mercury 14 Apr 2021)
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