William Samel

WILLIAM SAMEL (Willie)
Oct. 18, 1934 to Oct. 27, 2025 

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we said goodbye to Dad in the early morning of Monday Oct. 27th, 2025.!! Dad passed away peacefully at 91 years young.

Dad was born in Wayne, Alberta on Oct.18, 1934.   He was the oldest son of Margaret and John Vasko of East Coulee.  He quit school in Grade 8 to go work on his Grandpa Rako's Farm.

In East Coulee, Dad met the love of his life Georgie Currie and they were married on
Sept. 29th, 1955.  Their life revolved around family, hard work and both were athletes.
Dad and his brother Larry moved their families to Uranium City, Sask. to work in the Mines.  Up there was where Terry and Tracy were born.  It was time to move the family back to the valley and East Coulee again became Home.  The three boys were born in Drumheller Willie Jr., Scotty and Mike

He worked for numerous employers in the valley.  Everyone new him as the Milkman...he drove truck for Coca Cola and finally with Pan Canadian as an Operator.

From childhood to his late 80's dad had the competitive "Sports Bug"   He was a Gifted Athlete from day one.  Hardball, Fastball and Slowpitch.  In his Fastball Days he was known to play in barefeet...he was a Catcher and a Pitcher. He pitched in the Drumheller Mixed Slowpitch League till age 75.

Dad was an amazing Goal Tender for Hockey and Broomball.  Even up north his team called the Magnificent 7 won Championships year after year in Uranium City with only 7 players.  He has a trove of Goalie Trophies for Broomball and Hockey. He played for teams in Drum as well as the Hussar Huff and Puffs and a Bassano Oldtimers team travelling to tournaments all over Alberta and the States.

Dad and friend Eddie Dutka were avid Hunters, both training their bird dogs.  Dad loved his Hunting Trips with mom's cousin Jim Currie to the Mountains.
He taught us kids to shoot gophers and target practise.  At one outing he thought he had a kill shoot on a deer on way to work...little did he know that day he would
have to wrestle that deer.  Dad even mastered Bow Hunting. 

Dad and Mom took up golfing in the mid 80s.  Again Dad excelled for a leftie...getting a few hole in one's in Rosebud and Drum...His claim to fame was beating Willie and Tracy for years and years.


The open road was also a passion of Dad and Moms ...his Honda Goldwing ventured on many trips to BC and the USA with Auntie Lynne and Uncle Bill.  Later in life he traded in the Gold Wing for a Harley Davidson Softtail.

Dad was an avid Pool Player in the League for over 15 years. He could certainly hold his own. What he loved the most was playing on teams with Willie or Tracy....

The past two years Dad spent in Continuing Care in Drum.  Through adversity and multiple health challenges he kept positive, smiled and was a bright light to everyone who came in contact with him. He would pride himself with the nicknames he created for residents ...QueenB...RoadRunner...Guuse...Mustang Sally
We thank the staff....care aids, physio, kitchen, maintenance, janitorial and especially the Recreation Girls for their kindness and love shown to our Dad during his stay.

Dad was predeceased by wife Georgie,  his son Scotty, daughter Terri and son in law Mike.   His parents Margaret and John Vasko, his siblings Phyliss and Larry and their spouses.....and loving family members from moms' side

He leaves behind his loving kids....daughter Tracy Symowoniuk (Blu- Louie)  sons Willie Samel Jr. and Mike Samel (Annie)  and chosen daughter Cindy (Piper). His grandchildren Treighton Samel,  Tanya Conroy, Jamie Conroy, Joey Conroy and their families.  Many lifelong friends throughout the valley including Tom S.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Rosedale Ball Diamond/ Hall in the Spring/Summer of 2026.

Dad ...you light up every room with your smile, humor and stories ...Heaven has certainly gained an Angel ! 
Rest easy..Daddio...Willy O....Classic...Legend...
Willy Wonka

Until we meet again Dad
Forever Loved and in our Hearts
Love Tracy, Willie and Mike Samel