Bill was a remarkably enlivening individual, with a smile that lit up every room. He was a lover of family, music, films, sports, and lifelong learning. Bill engaged with the world straight up and was always a positive, optimistic presence. He was accomplished, in turn, a saxophone player, an Edmonton Fireman (Acting Deputy Fire Chief), a successful university student (PhD), and a dedicated professor at Grant McEwan University. Bill will be remembered by those who knew him as someone who had a sparkling sense of humour with a real joy of life and living.
Bill is survived by his son Sean (Tanisha Patterson) McGarvey, sister Margaret (Dean) Befus, brother Robert (Sandy Bromley) McGarvey, as well as nieces and nephews, Lindsay (John) Milville, Dillion Befus, Julia (Jordan Smith) McGarvey, Oliver (Isabella Blatter) McGarvey, and grandnephew Michael Milville, grandnieces Megan Milville and Norah McGarvey. Bill was Uncle at Large to Conrad Steele (Crystal) for 46 years, and grand-uncle to his children, Madison, Lance and Aubrey. The family sends special thanks to Lee Felgate for her love and caring for Bill over the last ten years.
Although he will be deeply missed, his passing was, like his life, lived on his terms – in the way he would have wanted it.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Edmonton Fire Fighters Burn Treatment Society.
Ysabel Llerena says
My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️
He was such an instrumental and impactful part of my nursing journey, and I feel truly blessed to have been one of his students. He was an amazing professor and an incredible person who was always willing to help his students, go the extra mile, and make additional time to explain concepts to ensure we understood. His dedication to teaching and to his students was something truly special.
As a rural nursing student community, we were so fortunate to have him teach us. He would drive three hours just to come and teach us, and that alone speaks volumes about his dedication and commitment to our education. He gave so much of himself to his students, and his impact will stay with me throughout my nursing career.
One thing I will always be grateful for is that my classmates and I had the opportunity to express just how much he meant to us while he was still here. We gave him a thank-you card to let him know how impactful he had been as our professor and how much we appreciated everything he did for us. I remember how happy he was to receive it, and I am so glad we got to tell him how wonderful of a professor he was and how much he had influenced our lives. It brings me comfort knowing that he knew how appreciated and valued he was by his students.
I will forever be grateful that I had the privilege of learning from someone so dedicated, compassionate, and extraordinary. He was more than a professor; he was someone who made a lasting difference in my journey, and I know I am not the only student who feels this way. His legacy will live on through all the nurses he taught and the patients whose lives we will touch because of what he taught us.
My heart goes out to his family. I hope you find some comfort in knowing how deeply he was appreciated, how many lives he touched, and how fondly he will be remembered. He made a difference that will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace. 🕊️❤️