1929-2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Kenneth Hibbert on December 15, 2020 at the age of 91 in Kamloops.
Bill is survived by his sons: Ken (Rhys), Del (Karen), Brett (Anne); his grandchildren: Bonnie, Greg, Alissa (Joelan), Cody (Tyra); and his great-grandchildren: Dawson (son of Alissa & Joelan), Callahan (daughter of Cody & Tyra).
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Norma; his infant child, Margaret; his parents, Eric & Lillian Hibbert; and his sister, Ruth (Les).
Bill was born in Vancouver on April 3, 1929, and moved to Port Alberni in 1932. He graduated from Alberni and District High School in 1947. Later, he became a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, based in Port Alberni. At the age of 18, Bill obtained his pilots licence, and subsequently purchased his own airplane – a 1942 de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane.
Bill moved to Kamloops in 1950, where he met Norma in 1951. They were married in Kamloops in 1952. They lived in Edmonton and Kelowna briefly, before returning to Kamloops. In the early 1950s, Bill drove a logging truck for Balco Forest Products. And for 39 years, from 1955 to 1994, he worked as a superintendent for Swift Canadian Co Ltd/Gainers.
Bill was an avid stock car racer from 1959 to 1973. He won many races at tracks in the Kamloops region: Harwin, Scheidam, and Tillicum Speedways, as well as at other tracks around BC. Bill was always eager to spend a weekend camping with his family and friends around the race track or in the Tunkwa Lake area near Kamloops. He enjoyed watching sports, and was a devoted fan of the Kamloops Blazers, having attended virtually every home game in the last 30 years.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HeartandStroke.ca) in the memory of Bill Hibbert.
Offer Condolence for the family of William (Bill) Kenneth Hibbert
Print This Obituary & Condolences
Vern & Lois Prochnau
We are thinking of you and your families at this time. We we racing friends of your dad and Mother’s. We spent many weekends with them at the tracks in Kamloops and Okanogan. Please accept our condolences at this time.
Jim Palmer
We moved to Kamloops in 2018. We became volunteers at the Blazer games. I noticed an elderly gentleman walking around the arena before the game started. Whenever we went to the A and W noticed the same elderly gentleman always sitting with a group of retirees. At a Blazer game I spoke to the elderly man as he was on his walk. I asked him what is the initiation fee to coffee at these tables. Bill said just come and join us but don’t be thin skinned.
I sat across from Bill many mornings and encouraged him to talk about his life in Kamloops. Listening to his many stories and getting his sense of humor was very enjoyable.
I learned how smart he was and found us retired guys would ask Bill for the answer to many topics including hockey players, past and present, car and truck questions, politics past and present. He was the smartest of all of us at age 90! We will all remember and miss Bill.
Our condolences go out to all his family.
Lorne and Mary Moses
Del and Karen Aunt Mary and I send our condolences. By the obit he led a full life. God Bless