WOOD, William Frederick "Will"
June 27, 1938 - November 25, 2025
William Frederick Wood was born on June 27, 1938, in Nelson, British Columbia, to Violet May Geiss and Luke Edward Wood. He was the youngest of three children. When Will was 13, Violet married Lawrence Nordstrom, and life had already given him a few twists to grow around.
He joined the Navy in 1958, which turned out to be the kind of decision that sends you straight into history. He was in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, watching events unfold in a way that never quite leaves a person. He spent much of his life as a Sailor, first working on the BC Ferries, then on scientific and fishing vessels, and serving for the Coast Guard. His work took him all over the world and gave him stories that resurfaced at family gatherings.
His son, Jameson, was born in 1965. The family did not know of Jamie’s existence until 1996, when finding him came as an extraordinary and joyful surprise - one that added a meaningful and unexpected chapter to Will’s life.
In 1969, Will married Janet “Jean” Gold in Kamloops, BC, and he adopted her two daughters from a previous marriage, Juanita and Loreen. Two more daughters followed, Melodey and Crystal, and for a while, the house was full of the sort of noise that comes from four children, a busy job, and the whole business of trying to keep up with life. They moved to Cardston, AB, in 1977, and later divorced in 1979.
Will spent time in Southern Alberta, where he tried his hand at bull riding at rodeos and ranch work, and all things cowboy. It was the sort of chapter that sounded improbable unless you knew him well, in which case it made perfect sense. He later returned to British Columbia and, in 1996, married Ruby Nelson. That marriage ended a few years later. He continued to move around the province until he finally settled in Parker Cove, outside of Vernon, where he bought a house and stayed as long as he was able.
For the last few years, he lived at Pleasant Valley Manor in Armstrong. He died there on November 25, 2025, at the age of 87, after a long battle with dementia.
He was predeceased by his parents; older brother Glenn; older sister Florence; younger half-sister Margaret; daughter Loreen; and former wife Jean.
Will is survived by his half siblings Colleen (Gary, deceased) Salikin, Delphine (Jim) Johnston, Delores (Ross, deceased) Deal, and Donald Wood; as well as his children Juanita (Chris) Rolfson, Jamie (Lynne) Galley, Melodey Wood, and Crystal Schaaf. He also leaves eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who each carry a piece of his story.
No funeral will take place. His final resting place will be in the Wood family plot in Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Kelowna, BC.
June 27, 1938 - November 25, 2025
William Frederick Wood was born on June 27, 1938, in Nelson, British Columbia, to Violet May Geiss and Luke Edward Wood. He was the youngest of three children. When Will was 13, Violet married Lawrence Nordstrom, and life had already given him a few twists to grow around.
He joined the Navy in 1958, which turned out to be the kind of decision that sends you straight into history. He was in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, watching events unfold in a way that never quite leaves a person. He spent much of his life as a Sailor, first working on the BC Ferries, then on scientific and fishing vessels, and serving for the Coast Guard. His work took him all over the world and gave him stories that resurfaced at family gatherings.
His son, Jameson, was born in 1965. The family did not know of Jamie’s existence until 1996, when finding him came as an extraordinary and joyful surprise - one that added a meaningful and unexpected chapter to Will’s life.
In 1969, Will married Janet “Jean” Gold in Kamloops, BC, and he adopted her two daughters from a previous marriage, Juanita and Loreen. Two more daughters followed, Melodey and Crystal, and for a while, the house was full of the sort of noise that comes from four children, a busy job, and the whole business of trying to keep up with life. They moved to Cardston, AB, in 1977, and later divorced in 1979.
Will spent time in Southern Alberta, where he tried his hand at bull riding at rodeos and ranch work, and all things cowboy. It was the sort of chapter that sounded improbable unless you knew him well, in which case it made perfect sense. He later returned to British Columbia and, in 1996, married Ruby Nelson. That marriage ended a few years later. He continued to move around the province until he finally settled in Parker Cove, outside of Vernon, where he bought a house and stayed as long as he was able.
For the last few years, he lived at Pleasant Valley Manor in Armstrong. He died there on November 25, 2025, at the age of 87, after a long battle with dementia.
He was predeceased by his parents; older brother Glenn; older sister Florence; younger half-sister Margaret; daughter Loreen; and former wife Jean.
Will is survived by his half siblings Colleen (Gary, deceased) Salikin, Delphine (Jim) Johnston, Delores (Ross, deceased) Deal, and Donald Wood; as well as his children Juanita (Chris) Rolfson, Jamie (Lynne) Galley, Melodey Wood, and Crystal Schaaf. He also leaves eight grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who each carry a piece of his story.
No funeral will take place. His final resting place will be in the Wood family plot in Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Kelowna, BC.