April 16, 1945 - June 6, 2020
George Wilkie, age 75, passed away peacefully June 6th in Ponoka, after struggling with renal failure and dementia.
George was born April 16th, 1945, in Rabbit Lake, Saskatchewan. He was the fifth child of Reinhold and Martha Wilkie. He grew up in Saskatchewan, B.C., and Alberta and graduated high school in Mirror, Alberta. After graduation, he apprenticed as an electrician in Ponoka, living with his brother, Ed and his family. He met his future wife, Sheila Webb, when she was babysitting Ed's daughter, Angela. George continued his apprenticeship and he and Sheila were married October 2nd, 1965.
They settled in Ponoka and started their family. Daughter Charlotte was born in 1966 and Debbie followed in 1967. While the family was young and starting out, George and his business partner, Jack McCurdy, owned and operated Custom Electric. In 1978 and 1979, George and Sheila added Jocelyn and Andrew to their family. At this time, he also obtained his Master's Electrician Ticket. Later, George also worked in Edmonton for Standard Electric and managed Wilder's Motors in Ponoka.
In 1989, George and Sheila made the move to Beaumont, Alberta where they resided for five years. In 1993, George struck it rich on a scratch and win ticket and was able to begin the life of his dreams farming on land east of Ponoka. George and Sheila settled into life on the farm and relished in their new life and community. They stayed on the farm for 21 long, beautiful years, enjoying time as snowbirds in the winters in Arizona. In 2015, they moved to town due to George's declining health. In October of 2015, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They enjoyed a quiet life in town, with welcomed visits from their children, grandchildren and friends.
George was well known for his love of music - he played the button accordion, guitar, harmonica and banjo. He volunteered as a fireman for over thirteen years for the Ponoka Fire Department. George's family was always important and he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and siblings. He loved to camp, ride motorcycles, snowmobile and spend time on the farm with his faithful dog. George and Sheila had a large group of friends that they camped with for many years. He was known and loved in the community by many, and will be remembered for his great stories, quick wit and humorous one liners.
George was predeceased by his parents Reinhold and Martha, older sister Frieda, father and mother-in-law Howard and Helen Webb. He leaves to mourn his soulmate and best friend for life, Sheila; his children, Charlotte (Mike Chase), Debbie (Sean Stewart), Jocelyn (Tony Skorjanc), and Andrew; grandchildren Erin and Taylor Chase, Katelyn (Quinn Amiel), Paul Stewart (Justine), and Rachel Stewart, Benjamin Skorjanc and Adam and Noah Wilkie; siblings Edward (Sylvia), Elmer (Lois), Ruth (Roy Chura), Betty Jewer, Terry Sigurdur, David (Erica), and brother-in-law David Webb; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Due to the current restrictions placed on public gatherings, there will be a small, private service for George. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the charity of your choice.
To express condolences to George's family, please visit womboldfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements Entrusted To Ponoka Funeral Home
~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~
Ponoka Funeral Home