OVERES, Williem “Bill”

WILLIEM “BILL” BERNARDUS PIETER OVERES 1925 ~ 2025 It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of our Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and Friend. Bill passed away peacefully at the St. Michael’s Covenant Health Center on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Bill was born on September 24, 1925, in Ter Aar, Netherlands to Simon and Catharina Overes. Bill was their oldest son. Bill grew up in the Netherlands and was a hard worker, learning many skills that he used every day. Bill immigrated to Canada in 1952.
Bill married Martha Dol in Shaunessy, Alberta in 1953 and from that union were 5 children, four girls and one son. Maria, Simon, Barbara, Celia and Patricia. Bill loved his children very much and provided for them with his hard work ethic.
Bill had a connection with animals, especially horses, and he could grow a mean garden along with beautiful flowers. His backyard received many accolades and was published several times in the Lethbridge Herald. Bill was the President of the Lethbridge Horticulture Society for many years. When his children were attending elementary and high school, he served on the School Board. Bill was the advisor for the Junior Forest Wardens and Girl Forest Guards, where his daughters along with neighborhood kids learned about trees, animals and conservation. The group-built bird houses and placed them in the trees at Park Lake, some of them are still there to this day. Bill was also involved with Peddle Pushers, helping kids learn bicycle safety.
Bill loved to fish. He would go to Henderson Lake in the early hours of a Saturday morning to fish before he began his chores and whatever he had going on at the time. He built a camper for his pickup truck in his garage during the winter so it would be ready for summer vacations. Bill was good with his hands and anything he built would last the test of time!
Bill worked 35 years for Ellison Milling before retiring. During his time with them, he attended night classes at the college and received his steam boiler ticket to help with his job.
Bill recently celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by many family members. He always said he would live to be 100 and he did just that!
We are going to miss all his stories about growing up in the Netherlands and what he witnessed during World War II in his home country, but most of all we will miss his Hokey Pokey dance!
Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife Martha Overes; daughters Barbara Pierzchala, Celia (Michael) Hoggard; 4 granddaughters; 2 grandsons; 6 great granddaughters; 3 great grandsons; 1 great-great granddaughter; 1 great-great grandson; brother Hubert Overes; sister Audrey Myers, as well as many brothers and sister-in-law’s, numerous nephews and nieces.
He was predeceased by his parents Simon and Catharina; daughters Maria Overes, Patricia Arneson; son Simon Overes; son-in-law Bryan Pierzchala, as well as numerous brothers and sisters, brothers and sister-in-law’s.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at St. Michael’s Covenant Health Center for the wonderful care provided to Dad. You are all special angels.
Cremation entrusted to Martin Brothers Funeral Chapels.
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.