Lutes – WILLARD ALLEN (BILL) LUTES passed away in Okotoks, Alberta on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the age of 86 surrounded by his loving children. Bill was born in Medicine Hat on February 22, 1931 to Willard and Adelia Lutes. He received all of his schooling in Medicine Hat and went to work for his Dad in the family lumber yard at the young age of 16. Bill remained a lumber man for the rest of his life eventually passing on his knowledge and expertise of the lumber business to his 2 sons and now, also a number of his grandchildren. Bill and Evelyn Hansen of Taber met while in high school and were married June 11, 1949. They began their life together in Medicine Hat, followed by a few short years in Calgary and in 1965 they moved to Brooks and founded Lutes Building Centre, which is still family owned and operated 52 years later. Bill enjoyed playing and watching all sports but his passion was golf. He and Evelyn were fortunate to spend many, many winters first in California and then in Arizona which enabled them to golf almost year round. Bill won many Lumberman Tournaments as well as local club championships over the years. Bill was instrumental in bringing grass greens to the Brooks Golf Course. As a Senior Golfer, he qualified to play both in the Provincial and the National Senior Amateur Tournaments. Bill was good with people making great lifelong friends wherever he and Evelyn lived. Bill loved his family and took great pride in his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. He was most excited when a new baby arrived on the scene. He was predeceased by his devoted wife of 61 years, Evelyn, in March of 2011. Left to treasure his memory are his children: Sandra Bell of Lethbridge, Bill Lutes of High River, Janey (Byron) Smith of Brooks and Allen (Wendy) Lutes of Brooks. 11 grandchildren: Will (Keri) Lutes, Julie (Gord) McDonald, Melanie (Terry) Lutes-Vicente, John (Christie) Bell, B.J. Smith, Erin (Jamie) Langley, Tyler (Kendra) Smith, Courtney (Rob) Edmonds, Stacey (Jon) Lutes-Wong, Travis (Melissa) Lutes and Wyatt Lutes as well as 20 great grandchildren. Bill is also survived by his brother Jack (Moira) Lutes of Vancouver, 2 sisters-in-law Viola Francis and Phyllis Anderson and 1 brother-in-law George Forchuk and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 03, 2017 at 11:00 AM from St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Brooks. Reverend Ken Wells officiating. Interment at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Bill, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to either, B.C. and Alberta Guide Dog Services, 7061 Ladner Trunk Road, Delta B.C. V4K 3N3 or the Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B3.
Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM, BROOKS, ALBERTA
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