WILLIAM “BILL” MORRIS WAHL

WILLIAM “BILL” MORRIS WAHL
William Morris Wahl, age 76, of Medicine Hat, Alberta (and Edmonton) passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the University Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. In the company of his family; Bill’s last days were spent reminiscing, listening to music, watching ‘The Jubilee Wahltz’ concert and in true Bill fashion, conducting along the way. Beth was by his side. He was not in pain or discomfort.
Bill was born on November 14, 1947 to Karl and Bernice Wahl in Barrhead, Alberta. Along with his older brother John and younger brother Ken, they moved to Drayton Valley, and eventually to Medicine Hat, where Bill graduated from MHHS in 1966. He went on to study at the University of Alberta in the MELAB (Music Education Laboratory) program. In future years he also obtained his Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Oregon, and later a Diploma of Fine Arts in Advanced Wind Band Conducting from the University of Calgary.
While at the University of Alberta, Bill met his life partner, Beth, in 1969. They moved to Medicine Hat for teaching positions and were married there in 1970. They established roots there, built their beloved log home down by the river and welcomed daughters Danielle, Nicole and Monique. Life was good and the log house was full of love and laughter.
Throughout the years, their family grew, and they welcomed sons-in-law Blair (M), Chad (N), and Mark (D), and grandchildren Bryant (Alison), Alexander, Oliver, and Molly. Bill treasured spending time with them all and nothing would make him happier than to help out with a diy project, or to get down on the floor with one of the grandkids to “wrastle” or scat a tune together.
Bill was the Band Teacher at Crescent Heights High School from 1970 to 2003 and taught thousands of students in grades 7 through 12 throughout his career, taking bands on 7 European tours (and one major trip to Toronto). The high school band also traveled extensively throughout Canada to various music festivals. In 1982, he and a group of other brass players started the Medicine Hat Brass Guild which then became the Medicine Hat Concert Band. In 2003, Bill added a beginner band for adults to the MHCB. For 40 years he was their creative director and conductor. He was committed to finding quality music for the ensembles to play and spearheaded the commissioning of two pieces of music, ‘Canadian Rhapsody’ by Elliot del Borgo and ‘Drums of the Saamis’ by Samuel Hazo. Overall, a 50+ year career that culminated in ‘The Jubilee Wahltz’ concert and celebration that was held in May of 2022.
Over his years as a band teacher and conductor he humbly received much recognition for his contributions including: Excellence in Teaching Award twice (MHSD 76); nominated twice for Outstanding Teacher through Alberta Learning; Elkhorn Band Director of the Year Award, Vondis Miller Legacy Award, Lifetime Membership (Alberta Band Association); David Peterkin Award for Outstanding Service to Band Music (Phi Beta Mu); Paul Harris Fellowship (Rotary Foundation of Rotary International); Community Spirit Award of Achievement in Arts/Culture (City of Medicine Hat); AMEF Recognition Award (Alberta Music Education Foundation). He was most recently awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal for his significant contributions to Alberta.
Away from the baton, Bill was an avid cyclist; gardener; grape, garlic and hosta grower; wine, butter crunch, raspberry jam, and beer maker; furniture builder and refinisher; handy person; car collector; pool, darts, horseshoe and crib player; and typically didn’t sit still unless it was to catch a quick nap on the couch. He was also very passionate about making his community safer after the flood of 2013.
He was a deeply spiritual person, and an active participant in the Anglican Church most of his life. The Wahl family spent holidays at Sorrento Centre almost every year for 25 years where Bill, ever curious, stretched his beliefs around what it meant to be a Christian, a parent, a teacher, a musician, and a human. He was very active in the Wahl family’s local church and took on many roles from janitor, to music leader, to warden, to sitting on the parish council. His spirituality was important to him to the very end; every night he prayed for the health and wellbeing of loved ones and himself.
We will remember him for so many reasons, but most of all for being a kind, welcoming, encouraging person, who was available to listen, quick to laugh, and always up for a hug. He was always full of ideas and creativity, always thinking of ways to help make things better in our world and to be better himself. He was skilled and worked very hard, not only at his pursuits and goals, but also to provide a loving environment in his home, and to make everyone who entered his orbit feel deserving of their place in this world.
A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held in Medicine Hat on Saturday, March 30th at 1pm at the Cypress Centre. For those who are not able to attend, there will be a livestream. Information on this will be shared closer to the date at www.arbormemorial.ca/en/southside/obituaries.html. Messages of condolence can also be shared there.