The Memorial Candle Program has been designed to help offset the costs associated with the hosting this Tribute Website in perpetuity. Through the lighting of a memorial candle, your thoughtful gesture will be recorded in the Book of Memories and the proceeds will go directly towards helping ensure that the family and friends of William Fordham Johnson Wood can continue to memorialize, re-visit, interact with each other and enhance this tribute for future generations.

Thank you.

Cancel
Select Candle

Obituary for William Fordham Johnson Wood

William Fordham Johnson  Wood
Bill died on September 17th, after a brief suffering from pancreatic cancer. Bill's beloved wife, Clara, predeceased him on September 7th, 2016. He is much missed by his daughters, Laura and Gillian Wood, son William with his partner Catherine Crowston and her daughter Hana, as well as by his dear grandsons Joseph and Samuel Brydon. He will be remembered by his sisters Helen Wyatt and Angela Wood, his brother-in-law Louis Campagnola and sister-in-law Elsie Campagnola.

Born in Vancouver on April 3rd 1928, the only son of Beatrice and Frederic Wood, Bill attended Vernon Preparatory School and graduated from University Hill High School before enrolling in Engineering at the University of British Columbia. In 1950, Bill enlisted in the artillery of the Canadian Army, rising to the rank of Captain and serving in Sault St. Marie and Picton, Ontario. He was also seconded to the American army at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas for two years, where he studied and taught guided missile systems.

In 1960, Bill resigned his commission and returned to Vancouver, completing a Bachelor of Commerce at UBC before becoming involved in pulp and paper sales with MacMillan Bloedel. He returned to UBC, completing a Masters degree and later earned a doctorate in finance at the University of Washington in Seattle (1970). He taught finance at UBC for twenty years, also serving as chair of the UBC endowment and pension funds.

An avid sailor much of his life, Bill skippered several sail and power boats, enjoying the Gulf Islands with first mate Clara. Together they owned a much-loved cabin on Pender Island where he fished the waters of Active Pass. Bill and Clara also tended a fine garden that was hunted by their dear cats, Brookie and Audrey.

For over thirty years, Bill and Clara traveled throughout France and Italy with additional trips to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Spain. Together, and with friends and family, they enjoyed art, history, food and wine as Bill guided them through small villages and major urban centres. Bill's love of photography created a lasting legacy of these memories.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to his charity Covenant House, Vancouver B.C. www.covenanthouse.bc.org .


Recently Shared Condolences
Recently Lit Memorial Candles
Recently Shared Stories
Recently Shared Photos