Obituary of William Sidney James
William Sidney (Bill) James
Born August 1, 1950 – Killam, Alberta. Died December 14, 2017 – Calgary, Alberta
Bill James of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the age of 67 years. Bill leaves to mourn his wife Joan; Children Lori James (husband Tim) (child Virginia); Jody James; Tami Geddes (husband Rick) (children Madison (Mark); Sydney; Paige; Spike); Marty McIssac (wife Shelley) (children Dallas (Tanya); Alex (Mike)); great grandchildren; three sisters; Bonnie Bendfeld, Debbie James, Jacquie (Wade) Bonnett; two brothers; Bob (Debbie), Bud (Tammy); numerous nieces & nephews, and a host of other family & friends. Bill was predeceased by his wife Rosalie (McIssac) James; both parents, Sidney James and Ruth Irene (Williams) James; one brother-in-law, Ronald Bendfeld.
Bill spent his entire working career in the aviation insurance business, both as an underwriter and as a broker, while living & working in Edmonton, Toronto, and Calgary. He was a leader in the industry and in 2014 was awarded the Air Transport Association of Canada Outstanding Achievement Award, with particular recognition for his involvement, in 2001, in the development of the Canadian Government’s Third Party War Risk Liability Indemnity. Bill’s efforts resulted in significant financial benefits of more than $100 million in savings for the aviation industry since 2001.
In his youth, Bill loved all sports and carried his competitive spirit into his adult life, often with a friendly wager attached. He enjoyed his family and time spent at the family cottage at Pigeon Lake. He enjoyed several vacations in Hawaii and Nova Scotia. A meal with family or friends that included seafood & Alberta beef was particularly special to Bill. And he was seldom seen without a Diet Coke in hand.
He leaves behind many who will miss him, and many upon whom he has left his mark - both personally and professionally. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill's name to the Ruth & Sid James Memorial Fund with the Battle River Community Foundation., Box 1122, Camrose, AB, T4V 4E7