Mr. William "Bill" Bauman, beloved husband of Mrs. Marion Bauman of Medicine Hat, passed away with his family by his side on Monday, February 6th, 2012 at the age of 87 years.
Bill also leaves to cherish his memory his children: Douglas (Brenda) Bauman and their children, Julie (Matthew) Burbidge and Scott Bauman; Brenda (Russ) Farwell and their children, Kristine and Steven Farwell; and Brian (Milvia) Bauman and their children, Megan Bauman and Matthew (Kyla) Brassard and children Jackson and Gia; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William and Grace Bauman; and 13 siblings.
Bill was born on the family homestead near Young, Saskatchewan on February 13th, 1924, the youngest of 14 children born to William and Grace Bauman. His parents arrived with the early wave of homesteaders who settled the Western Canadian prairies. He grew up during the depression and as a young man entered the airforce in 1943 and trained as an electrician and worked on combat aircraft destined for Europe. After the war, he accepted a summer job working underground in the mines at Flin Flon, Manitoba while he was attending university. After university, he worked for the City of Saskatoon, Underwood McLellan and Associates, and then with Fleming MacKay Construction in Saskatoon.
Bill first met Marion Grylls on a blind date arranged by her brother, Fred. They hit it off immediately and Mom says Dad was “pounding on her door” the very next day. They were married on July 30th, 1949 and had three children who they raised in Saskatoon. Fleming MacKay sold out in 1971 and work was scarce in Saskatchewan so they moved to Edmonton where Bill took a management position with Arthur Voice Construction. In 1973, opportunity knocked in Medicine Hat where he became the first general manager and a shareholder of South Rock Ltd., a company which has now been in business for 39 years. When South Rock was established, Bill was the sole employee and today, the company employees approximately 350 people.
Bill was a strong believer in education and had always encouraged his children and grandchildren to further their studies. Because of the location of the family farm, it was hard for him to get his grade school and high school education, but he kept at it and wouldn’t give up. Bill was a builder. He worked most of his life in construction-related businesses. He built their cabin and the family's first home in Saskatoon. He was also a builder of strong family life with good values, morals and ethics and was a builder of his community.
Bill was a former member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, the Al-Azhar Shrine Club, and the Spokane Shrine Hospital Outreach Program for Southern Alberta. He was a founding member and former chair of the Medicine Hat Community Foundation as well as Director of the Alberta Road Builders Association and was nominated honourary lifetime member of both organizations. Bill was a former board member of the Friends of Medalta Society, was president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Cypress Club, and was the Alberta Centennial Ambassador in 2005.
After retirement, Bill and Marion travelled extensively throughout dozens of countries and created many long-lasting friendships. Before and during that time, Bill poured himself into volunteer work. He truly enjoyed serving others and the community, not for self-promotion, but for all the right reasons. His generosity was real. He was a visionary and a man who could get things done. The word “quit” was not in his vocabulary.
Family gatherings, dinners and reunions were some of Bill’s favourite times. It was not uncommon to have 25 to 30 family members around the dinner table. Bill made a real effort to reach out and connect with all members of extended family as well. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends.
Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, on Friday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and at MEDALTA POTTERIES, 713 Medalta Avenue SE, on Saturday from 12:30 to 1:25 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held in MEDALTA POTTERIES on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Loren Hosfield officiating. A Private Interment will take place in the Family Plot at Saamis Prairie View Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to the Medicine Hat Community Foundation, 104, 430 - 6th Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 2S8, or to the Friends of Medalta, 713 Medalta Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 3K9. Condolences can be e-mailed to
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, subject-heading Bill Bauman or through www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca. Radio funeral announcement can be heard on Friday around 12:35 p.m. on Power 93.7 fm. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORIUM, "The Chapel in the Park", locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599
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Condolences
I am sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I thoroughly enjoyed every time I had the chance to spend time with Bill through my work the Chamber, Health Foundation and Alberta's Centennial. A finer, more sincere gentleman one cannot find. He will be missed.
Dana Cooper
We are so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May all your wonderful memories of Bill give you comfort and strength.
Gone from your touch but never from your heart.
Our deepest sympathy,
Norm and Shirley
hear about your loss of Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
It was always a pleasure working with Bill and we will have great memories of him.
Doug, we received your phone message but we are out of the country.
My Thoughts are with you at this time.
To a great Man
My Sympathy,
Adolf Seiler
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
Sincere sympathy,
Graham and Pearl Black