Daniel O’Brien Williams
May 2, 1920 - September 2, 2013
Dan was born in Ponoka, Alberta in 1920, the son of Eben and Ellen Williams. Dan’s father, Eben, had farmed near Ponoka and worked in the coal mines of southern Alberta. He settled the family in the town of Coalhurst, Alberta, north of Lethbridge where Dan grew up and attended school. In December 9, 1935 his father was killed along with 15 others in an explosion which became known as the Coalhurst Mine Disaster. Shortly after, at the height of the depression, his mother Ellen returned to her native Wales with Dan and his younger sister Dilys to be closer to family. Dan served during WWII in Italy, France and Germany as an Orderly Nurse in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He returned to Canada with his sister and mother after the war and became a Journeyman Carpenter working in and around Ponoka. He spent many years working for the Alberta Hospital Ponoka, as carpenter before retiring. He will be missed by his friends, the afternoon coffee crowd at the A&W, residents of Sunrise Village and by family, niece Glynis Finer and nephews Bryn, Peter and John Finer all of Salt Spring Island, BC as well as ten great nephews and nieces and 3 great, great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Dilys Olwen Finer in 2000. Dan was a kind, gentle man and will be deeply missed by all that knew him. His family wishes to thank the staff at the Ponoka Hospital & Care Centre and Dr. Bunting for their incredibly compassionate care during his illness. They are also very grateful to his friends for getting him to coffee and keeping him caffeinated after his “twin brother” was unable to drive him to coffee. At Dan’s request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ponoka Hospital & Care Centre. To express condolences to Dan’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements Entrusted To Ponoka Funeral Home
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