1930 ~ BILL MIDDLER ~ 2019
With Great Sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Friend William (Bill) John Middler, with his youngest Daughter Heather by his side. On October 21, 2019, 3 months shy of his 90th birthday, Bill lost his long battle with Cancer and was reunited with his beloved wife Leola and other loved ones who had gone before him. Bill is lovingly remembered by his Daughter’s Mandy (Jim), Linda (Rocky), Heather, his Grandchildren, Sheila (Richard), Lance (Jessyca), Tyler (Hilda), Nathaniel, Anthony, Justin (Camilla), Stephanie, Staci, Mitchell (Linz) and 10 Great-Grandchildren, as well as many friends and family members in Scotland. Bill was predeceased by his parents, numerous family members from Scotland, but most significantly the love of his life Leola Reinhardt and his Granddaughter Jennifer Evans. Bill was born January 26, 1930 in Belhelvie, Scotland to George & Helen Middler. At age 2 Bill’s mother Helen passed away, he and his 2 siblings were placed in an Orphanage. At age 8 Bill’s father remarried, he and his siblings returned home and 8 more siblings were born into the Middler Clan. Growing up Bill was quite the adventurist and, in his adventures, he traveled to Canada via ship in the late 50’s. After his return to Scotland he met and married the mother of his 3 children. In 1966 Bill immigrated to Canada with his wife and 2 daughters Mandy and Linda. In 1968 his 3rd daughter Heather was born in Brooks, Alberta where he resided for Many Years. In 1971 Bill’s wife left, leaving him to raise 3 girls on his own. Through the years Bill worked with the EID in Duchess, Ed’s Construction in Brooks, Hat Pipeline in Medicine Hat and finally in the Early 80’s he fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning his own business Bill’s Backhoe Service. Bill was known all around Alberta for his meticulous work and his unique way of loading his backhoe onto his 3-ton truck, no ramps required. Over the years his girls would be employed by their dad as either swamper’s or mechanics in training. It was customary on road trips that if the car broke down the girls would assess the problem and the correct answer would see that daughter out with the aid of their dad repairing the car. His moto to the Girls was “If you drive it, you need to know how to fix it”. In 1996 Bill met the love of his life Leola Reinhardt and inherited 3 boys Rodger, Kenny and Randy and their families, who he loved like his own. He moved lock stock and barrel to Calgary, Alberta to be with his love until they relocated to Medicine Hat in 2014. When his beloved Leola passed away in June of 2018, a part of him was missing, never fully recovering from her loss. Bill’s greatest achievement in his life was his family, biological or not. Always there if someone needed a hand, giving even strangers a small piece of the biggest heart, we’ve ever known. We will miss that contagious smile and the boyish twinkle in those beautiful blue eyes. We will hold him close to our heart until we meet again. The Funeral Service will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, on Monday, October 28th, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. with Gary W. Goran officiating. Memorial gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3B 6A8 or to the St. Joseph’s Home, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Bill Middler. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORIUM, “The Chapel in the Park”, Medicine Hat, Alberta. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone 1-800-317-2647.
