Bill Paynter

OBITUARY OF WILLIAM GORDON PAYNTER

July 22, 1935 – Near Kinistino, Saskatchewan October 21, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta William Gordon Paynter passed away October 21, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta. He was 82. Bill was born July 22, 1935 on a farm near Kinistino, Saskatchewan. At age 18, he went to work on his uncle’s farm near Pontrilas, Saskatchewan. A year later, Bill seized the opportunity to work as a telegraph operator with the Canadian Pacific Railway. For the next two years, he travelled across Alberta and Saskatchewan, providing vacation relief for stationmasters. It was during one of those stops in Provost, Alberta in 1956 that he met a young Donna Cromarty who would eventually become his wife and partner. In 1959, Bill moved to Calgary to attend the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and study electrical technology. Bill married Donna in 1962 and they moved to Brooks where he worked as a lineman for Calgary Power. In 1967 with sons Gord and Rob in tow, the young family moved to Hughenden, Alberta where they bought their first home. In 1969, Bill became a safety manager with Calgary Power and moved to Edmonton before moving to Calgary in 1972. The house they purchased in the then-fledgling community of Lake Bonavista would remain home for the rest of their married life. A man devoted to his family and his community, Bill’s commitment to integrity, service and kindness shone through in everything he did. Whether it was spending time at the cabin at Crimson Lake, organizing TransAlta’s retiree association or leading the charge for a new addition to the church, he was happiest when he was connecting with people. He like helping others and he liked making things happen. He excelled at both. Family and friends alike benefited from his generous spirit and sensible approach to life’s challenges. Bill is survived by his wife Donna; son and daughter-in-law Gordon Paynter and Pam Brandt; son and daughter-in-law Robert Paynter and Kristi Repay and their children Maila Moon and Spencer; sisters Ethel and Pat; brother-in-law Jim (Loraine) Cromarty; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is remembered fondly by his many friends, especially Ted and Sylvia Steventon, Mack and Sheryl Holt, the McDougall United Church Men’s Club, and the TransAlta Retirees Association. Funeral Services will be held at McDougall United Church (8516 Athabasca Street S.E., Calgary, AB) on Friday, October 27, 2017