December 11, 1937 – November 13, 2016

William Harold (Bill) Stager passed away peacefully in the loving presence of his family on November 13, 2016 after a short illness. He is survived by Marjorie his wife of 51 years, and his children Mary (Andrew) and Geoffrey (Tracey).
Bill was born to Harold Kimberley and Mary Elizabeth Stager on December 11, 1937 in Preston (Cambridge, Ontario. The youngest of four children, he is survived by older siblings John Stager (Joan), Charles Stager and Elizabeth Acford (Darrell). Bill grew up over the funeral home that his family owned and operated on Queen Street, Preston. The Stager family enjoyed summer vacations at cottages on Lake Couchiching and the Severn River where Bill developed his love of fishing and the outdoors. At a young age, Bill followed the family’s passion for golf and went on to win the Ontario Juvenile Boys Championship twice, in 1953 and 1954. He eventually followed older brother John out to Vancouver B.C. in 1958 where he studied sciences at UBC. Bill worked in various nightclubs most notably The Cave, where he developed his love of jazz. Eventually he embarked on his career in sales working at Lance Bissett where Bill learned the construction trade and met Marjorie Camm; the two married on August 28th, 1965. The newly married couple settled in Kamloops where they happily raised both children Mary and Geoff.
Bill trained to be a designer and worked at MacDonald Supply where he was the first to offer microwave cooking classes to anyone who purchased a microwave oven (the new technology of the time). Bill then went into a successful partnership with his friend Werner Windbiel opening the doors to Designer Kitchens and Interiors in 1983. For over thirty years, Bill’s talents as a salesman and designer earned him the respect of the Kamloops business community. Bill’s passion for golf stayed strong as Bill joined the Kamloops Golf and Country Club in 1971, serving as club president twice; he played his beloved game three times a week until his illness. In 1997, Bill was excited to attend the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia with his good friend Bill Wright. In his retirement, Bill enjoyed fishing, cooking, reading and his weekly football pools at the Fox and Hounds pub. He and Marjorie made two trips to Europe where they enjoyed sightseeing with a group of friends and family. Bill’s trip to St. Andrews Golf Club in Scotland was a personal highlight. Throughout his life, Bill was known for his honesty, his sense of humour, his generosity and his kindness. His beautiful heart will be greatly missed by many.
The family would like to say thank-you to all the doctors and nurses in the ICU at Royal Inland Hospital for their exceptional care of Bill in his final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC in Bill’s honour.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at the Kamloops Golf and Country Club on Sunday, December 4th, 2016 at 2:00 pm. Please join us to tell stories of Bill’s life and to celebrate this wonderful man.

“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes Because for those who love with their heart and soul There is no such thing as separation.” — Rumi

• Date : 2016-11-13
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.