Home > Canada > Alberta > Red Deer Census Division > Lacombe > Fairview Cemetery > Reginald John “RJ” Whillier

Reginald John “RJ” Whillier

Birth	:	19 Nov 1905 Hove, Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority, East Sussex, England
Death	:	31 Dec 1997 Lacombe, Red Deer Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Burial	:	Fairview Cemetery, Lacombe, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate	:	52.4753000, -113.7214800
Description	:	Reginald John Whillier of Lacombe passed away at the Lacombe Nursing Home on December 31, 1997 at the age of 92. Reg was born in Hove, England on November 19, 1905. Within a year of his birth, his father immigrated to Canada in search of work as a bricklayer. Four years later, Reg followed with his mother Elizabeth, and siblings, Winifred, Arthur, Bessie, Dorothy, Herbert and Robert. Arthur & Elizabeth settled in Calgary and then Forest Lawn. Unfortunately, within a few years the economy changed as WW1 loomed. The building trades, along... Read More	Reginald John Whillier of Lacombe passed away at the Lacombe Nursing Home on December 31, 1997 at the age of 92. Reg was born in Hove, England on November 19, 1905. Within a year of his birth, his father immigrated to Canada in search of work as a bricklayer. Four years later, Reg followed with his mother Elizabeth, and siblings, Winifred, Arthur, Bessie, Dorothy, Herbert and Robert. Arthur & Elizabeth settled in Calgary and then Forest Lawn. Unfortunately, within a few years the economy changed as WW1 loomed. The building trades, along with Arthur's career, disappeared. In 1915 both Reg's dad, Arthur, and brother, Arthur Henry, enlisted in the CEF and went overseas. Elizabeth owned/operated a store and post office and depended on Reg & his siblings to shoulder work and responsibility at a young age. The boys used a horse and cart for mail deliveries and also delivered the Calgary Herald. Post war was a difficult time for Reg and his family. His father returned home as a devastated man both physically and mentally. Reg's brother, Pte. Arthur Henry Whillier, died at the Battle of Somme, on Nov 13, 1916. He's memorialized at VIMY Ridge. In Nov 1918 the family headed north to the farming community of Gilby, Ab. Reg and his brothers learned the in's and out's of farming from their dad and from many neighbours like the Gant's. The first time Reg's future wife, Mary Gant saw him in 1918, she wrote … "grinning, freckled faced, curly haired boy, climbing through the gate". Then, ten years later, Mary wrote, "After threshing on the 18th of October, 1929, Reg and I were married in Lacombe at the Anglican Church. We spent the night in Red Deer at the hotel. That evening we saw our first "talking" movie, "The Singing Fool " with Al Jolson. In 1932, Arthur & Elizabeth retired to Vancouver leaving Reg and Mary in charge of the Whillier's mixed farm operation. A complication arose in 1939, when the Soldiers' Settlement Board informed them they "wanted to sell the land … the crop share didn't even pay the interest … they wanted it off their hands and close the books." The only way Reg could buy it was if he took over the original debt which was higher than it's value. Reg had no choice but to submit Arthur's quit claim and the land was put up for auction; Reg was the successful bidder! Reg & Mary grew with the times and so did their farm. They had a constant battle with the environment, wind, rain, hail and even the occasional fire. Reg and Mary built a new farm-house and barn on the old homestead (see photo). In 1969 they retired and moved to Lacombe. Reginald John Whillier (1905-1997) and Mary Emile (Gant) Whillier (1911-2005) were married for 68 years. Information and photo's supplied by Dorothy McHoney, Colleen McNeil & Liz van Schilt.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Reginald John “RJ” Whillier's memorial?
Reginald John “RJ” Whillier's memorial is located at: Fairview Cemetery, Lacombe, Red Deer Census Division, Canada.
When did Reginald John “RJ” Whillier death?
Reginald John “RJ” Whillier death on 31 Dec 1997 in Lacombe, Red Deer Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the Reginald John “RJ” Whillier's memorial?
Latitude: 52.4753000
Longitude: -113.7214800

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Mary Emily Gant Whillier

(1911 - 2005)

Siblings

Herbert Whitbourne “Bert” Whillier

(1900 - 1982)

Children

Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Whillier McNeil

(1939 - 1998)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Fairview Cemetery
Lacombe, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4753000, -113.7214800

2. Blackfalds Cemetery
Blackfalds, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3897500, -113.7941400

3. Gull Lake Cemetery
Gull Lake, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.5750980, -113.9392090

4. Saron Lutheran Cemetery
Clive, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.5353610, -113.4594370

5. Clive Cemetery
Clive, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4917400, -113.4348700

6. Bentley Hutterite Cemetery
Bentley, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4078896, -113.9981401

7. Aspelund Cemetery
Blackfalds, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3630400, -113.9627400

8. Bentley Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery
Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4346420, -114.0266220

9. Bentley Cemetery
Bentley, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4627700, -114.0388600

10. Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery
Red Deer, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2888200, -113.8205600

11. Alto Reste Cemetery
Red Deer, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2735700, -113.7168900

12. Red Deer Cemetery
Red Deer, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2743200, -113.7859000

13. Pleasant Valley Hutterite Cemetery
Haynes, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.3709470, -113.4168538

14. Forest Home Cemetery
Ponoka, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.6783600, -113.6121100

15. Tees Cemetery
Tees, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4700000, -113.3157800

16. Mount Pleasant Cemetery
Red Deer, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2156860, -113.6941080

17. Bismark Lutheran Cemetery
Crestomere, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.7102900, -113.9198100

18. Dakota Cemetery
Ponoka, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.7330380, -113.8493370

19. Earlville Rutherford Cemetery
Bashaw, Lloydminster Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.5798200, -113.3116400

20. Ferrybank Cemetery
Ponoka, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.7557000, -113.8004700

21. Vig Lutheran Church Cemetery
Bentley, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.4438100, -114.1855600

22. Saint Paul's Anglican Cemetery
Hillsdown, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2228200, -113.5042200

23. Lakeview Cemetery
Sylvan Lake, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.2980100, -114.0982500

24. Zion Christian Fellowship Cemetery
Ponoka, Red Deer Census Division, Canada
Coordinate: 52.6681590, -113.3589940