William "Bill" Arthur Bos

Bill entered this world in the middle of a blizzard at Lacombe Hospital. Due to the storm, the doctor couldn’t make it in, so a nurse had to deliver him.  Another baby boy was born in that same snow storm and the nurse mistakenly switched the babies!  Bill’s mother immediately knew that she had the wrong baby and set it right. Ironically, those two boys became close friends and the friendship remained until the very end. Bill grew up on a farm west of Lacombe where he learned to milk cows by the age of 5 and drive a tractor by the age of 8. One day, he drove too close to the edge of a straw pile and the tractor rolled over pinning him underneath the back wheel.  His father was able to save his life by lifting the tractor up and digging away the snow from under him so he could crawl out.  God clearly had a plan for his life and had angels watching over him that day! 

He rode a horse to a one room school house down the road for Grades 1-5 and attended the “big” school in Lacombe for Grades 6-10. He decided that farming was his calling so he quit school to work alongside his Dad on the family farm. As the oldest of seven children, Bill naturally took on a role of leadership, setting an example through his strong work ethic and quiet dedication to those around him.  For seven years, in the winters he worked for his uncle who was a builder in Lacombe where he learned carpentry skills, which came in handy later in his life. At the age of 21, Bill lost his mother to cancer. The loss deeply affected him and his family. When he was 22, he bought his own farm west of Ponoka where he lived and loved the land for the rest of his life. In 1966, at the age of 24, Bill married “the one who caught him” and the love of his life, Nellie Kamphuis. Together they raised a family of six children, Sherry, Gloria, Glen, Marlene, Patrick and Troy. Sixty years later, Nellie is still the love of his life and this family has now expanded to include 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.  He was a devoted husband and father; steady, selfless and deeply loving. Whether through quiet support, showing up to build and work on a project, or every day moments, he showed his family what it meant to be truly cared for. He was the best grandparent and had so much fun with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill was a man of his word with high integrity, always ready to lend a helping hand and give of his time and resources to his family, community and church. He was an avid fisherman and also loved sports - especially baseball, broomball, hockey and bowling. In his later years, he was a regular at the bowling alley and a force to be reckoned with. No one in the family has been able to beat his high score of 328!  Bill also had a great sense of humor and loved to sing. Many a day, one could hear his happy whistle and song as he worked on his farm.  

Bill’s faith and love for God carried him through the ups and downs of life. One of his favorite verses from the Bible was Joshua 1:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” In his final months, as he battled pancreatic cancer, he was at peace with going home to be with Jesus and his loved ones who were waiting for him there.   

Bill entered into eternity at the age of 83 with his family by his side. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by his wife, Nellie; their children Sherry (Neil) Christiansen, Gloria (Glenn) Brouwer, Glen (Jeanine) Bos, Marlene (Wayne) Brouwer, Patrick (Cherylynn) Bos and Troy Bos; 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many dear family members and close friends. He was predeceased by his father Wiebe; mother Anna; stepmother Margaret; sister Betty; brothers-in-law Henry Kamphuis, Gerrit Visser and Al Petch; and grandson Daniel Brouwer.

A Memorial Service to honor Bill will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ponoka Baptist Church. All are welcome to stay afterwards for a time of fellowship, refreshments and shared memories.

Memorial Donations are gratefully accepted to any charity of your choice.

*To view the livestream broadcast, please scroll down to the link below at service time.*

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