PERLITZ

‘Bill’ Billy Jack Perlitz of Blackfalds, Alberta passed away at his home on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at the age of 42 years.

Bill was born at the Bentley Hospital and went home to Rimbey. Growing up, he loved to skidoo. When Bill was just three years old, he would wake up and put his skidoo suit on over his PJ’s, put his snow boots on with no socks, and go outside and sit on the skidoo waiting for his dad to get up and take him for a ride. A short time later when the family was landscaping a new lot for a mobile home, Bill’s dad, Paul, was building a fence. Bill was trying to help by giving his dad boards, but he kept taking boards from only one side of the pile in the wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow eventually tipped over, pinning Bill’s head between the handle of the wheelbarrow and the side of the trailer. On another occasion, Paul was filling the garden tractor with gas to use it, stepping into the trailer for a moment only to realize that meanwhile, little Bill was putting dirt into the gas tank to help out his dad!

The family moved to Edmonton when Bill was 3 or 4 years old, where he started school and made many life-long friends. He played hockey and baseball, and loved to skateboard. Bill was 15 when they relocated to Lacombe, and three months later his parents separated. Bill had kept a sense of humour through it all and said, “At least we all get a vacuum.” (Paul was famous for not saying ‘no’ to a salesman.) Bill left school and moved to Provost with his dad and started his working career. He worked service rigs for several years and then went into the drywall business, which eventually was too hard on his body. Bill was a perfectionist at everything he did and was a hard worker. He absolutely adored his animals, and loved his three dogs and cat immensely. They were Bill’s pride and joy. He lost his dog and best friend, Charlie, on October 17, 2019. As soon as the owner of the dog that was mothering Charlie’s puppies found out, she called Bill and offered him his pick of the litter. Bill selected a female pup that was mainly white and had similar markings as Charlie. As soon as we saw her, we knew she’d be named, ‘Charlie’s Angel’.

Bill’s niece, Kayla, affectionately writes: “When I hear the name Billy Jack Perlitz, I don’t see the young boy that grandma raised, I don’t see the brother that mom grew up with. I see my uncle. I see my friend. He was the most giving person that I know, and he always put others before himself. He never denied anybody help, no matter the circumstances. Oh, and he always had to have his chocolate ice cream and Slurpee! He will forever be missed by all that knew him. Love you, Bill.”

Bill will always be remembered by his loving family: his mother, Donna Perlitz of Blackfalds; his father, Paul Perlitz of Provost; and his older sister, Stacey Dawe of Blackfalds; as well as his treasured niece and nephew, Kayla and Dylan Dawe, also of Blackfalds; and many other relatives and close friends. Bill was predeceased by his grandparents.

With respect to the wishes of Bill’s family, no formal funeral service was held. Bill was laid to rest in the Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Bentley at a later date. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Bill’s Memory may be made directly to the Central Alberta Humane Society, 4505 – 77 Street, Red Deer, Alberta T4P 2J1 (www.cahumane.com). Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca

Cremation Arrangements for the Late ‘Bill’ Billy Jack Perlitz entrusted to the care of