SANGSTER, Bill
Posted: October 18th, 2023Bill Sangster
1943 – 2023
It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William Thomas Sangster, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle with family by his side in Lethbridge on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the age of 80 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, October 19, 2023 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 – 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, October 20, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden. Condolences may be forwarded by visiting our website at www.southlandfuneral.com.
Those who are unable to attend and wish to view the service online may do so by visiting Bill’s obituary page on our website and clicking on the livestream link that will be available at 1:45 P.M. on Friday, October 20, 2023. The livestream will begin at 2:00 P.M.
Besides his loving wife Cheryle, Bill’s memory will be forever cherished by his children Brian (Enid) Sangster-Kelly of Parksville, British Columbia and their family Rebecca (Bryan) Craigg and family, Josiah (Andi) and Jessica Sangster-Kelly; Cameron Sangster of Taber. He is also survived by Cheryle’s children Darcy (Cheri) Bernhart and family Blaine and Brock; Troy (Mandi) Bernhart and family Dawson, Caitlyn, Addisyn and Brinlyn; siblings Lynn Thiessen and family Carey, Nevada Thiessen, Jace (Sandra) Thiessen and son Zane; Ian (Cindy) Sangster and family Kira (Tim) Kinnahan and family Linkin and Sawyer, Brody Sangster and son Hunter; Cathy “Kitten” (Doug) Odland and family KaLey (Stephanie) Odland and family Wyatt, Weston, Wren and Adley Odland, Jesse Odland and daughter Ember; Brooke (Bobby) Scott and family Lizzy and Rhylee; Bill’s cats Mr. T and Miss Nikki.
He was predeceased by his parents William and Joan Sangster; sister Norma Sangster; brothers-in-law Jake Thiessen and Blaine Poberznick; in-laws Nick and Clara Poberznick.
Bill was born on May 17, 1943 in Calgary, the eldest child of five born to William and Joan Sangster. He grew up on a farm near Taber at Fincastle. Bill was an active member of 4-H in the beet, grain and beef clubs in the 1950’s. He loved the farm, his Palamino horse, part Tennessee Walker/Quarter Horse named Bunny was his pride and joy. As a young man he loved playing baseball, he even went to Thompson, Manitoba and played for the Thompson Reds for his uncle. Bill graduated from WR Myers High School in Taber, then went to Olds College where he took agriculture. He bought his first semi truck in 1974 and started a partnership called “Fenton and Sangster Trucking.” It later turned to “Sangster Trucking.” Around 1978 Bill left Taber and went to work on a couple of ranches in Alberta, one being Palmer Ranch in Pincher Creek. The highway kept calling him back, so in the 1980’s he started driving for numerous trucking companies including Mullen, Chinook, H&R and Cool-X for many years. Bill received awards for safe driving, with forty five years of driving with over ten million kilometres behind the wheel. He loved being a long haul trucker, travelling across Canada and the United States with his little four legged companions “Whiskers, Tucker and Scooter.” Bill married Cheryle Poberznick on June 11, 2011 in their backyard in Lethbridge. When he retired from trucking, he drove a pilot truck for Meridian out of Lethbridge. Bill was an active member of the Knox United Church in Taber for many years. He was a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and Calgary Flames. Bill loved tinkering in the backyard, garden and at the fishpond, he especially loved his roses. He enjoyed carpentry, golfing, curling, fishing, camping, playing cards or dice with family. Bill never missed a family gathering unless he was on the road and couldn’t get back, but he would always call and talk to all of his family.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Bill’s name may be made directly to the Last Chance Cat Ranch, PO Box 30025, Park Place, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4X3 or any animal rescue organization of one’s choice.
Arrangements in care of Southland Funeral Chapel, Taber. Telephone: (403) 223-8778.
Sincere condolences Cheryle, Darcy, Troy and all your family. I very much enjoyed my visits with Bill many times at the dealership and giving him rides in the shuttle. He will be truly missed.