Monday, January 31, 2011

William Versteeg (Pastor Bill)

Bill was born on the 20th of October 1955 in Edmonton, Alberta, and passed away in the wee hours of the 28th of January 2011 in Langley, British Columbia. Bill struggled for many months with a feeling of being unwell before discovering that he had an aggressive form of bile duct cancer on December 23, 2010. Five short weeks later, he is gone from our lives, but forever in our hearts and memories.

Bill will be lovingly remembers as a caring husband, father, grandfather, brother, pastor, student, teacher, missionary, musician, and friend. He is survived by his cherished wife, Judy, his sons Peter (Patricia), Benjamin and Michael, his daughter Naomi (Sean), his grandson and namesake Aiden William, his brothers and sisters, Christine, Albert (Trudi), Jean (John), Bertha (Cor), Gerda (Tom), Harry (Sylvia), Mary, Evelyn (Carl), nieces, nephews, in-laws Alice, Lois, Shirley, friends too numerous to mention,  his ‘sweetheart’ Meascha and his ‘handsome boy’ Duke (the dogs).

Bill grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, attending West Edmonton Christian School. Following highschool, Bill received a degree in Electronic Engineering at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). In 1978 Bill followed a new direction in life, attending Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, where he completed a pre-seminary program, majoring in philosophy. Bill continued his studies to become a pastor by attending Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids Michigan, graduating in 1985. In 2005, Bill began the Doctorate of Ministry program at Trinity Western University. His thesis on faith and the imagination is still a work in progress.

Bill ministered to God’s people in Maranatha Christian Reformed Church (CRC) in Belleville, Ontario as a youth pastor;  Bethel CRC in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Bethlehem CRC in Thunder Bay, Ontario; and at Langley Immanuel CRC in Langley, British Columbia. Over 25 years, Bill faithfully served his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whom he always wanted to receive the honor and glory. Bill’s ministry extended far outside of the church walls as well. He was a part of numerous missionary trips to Mexico (outreach, house and church building) and Liberia (Lifewater, Extreme Clergy documentary).

In his ministry, Bill had a gift for listening to others, and responding with short words of wisdom and comfort. He loved learning and doing research for his sermons and children’s stories which were always meant to reveal God’s will and love for his people.  Bill’s website is a virtual library of sermons that cover the whole Bible. 

Bill thoroughly enjoyed playing guitar, snorkeling, long distance biking, and walking the dog during which time he would pray. He also kept up with the latest in electronics, and computer and trends. His family will never forget his wit, his contagious asthmatic laugh, his sincere smile, and the way we knew he meant it every time he said “I love you”.  He was a gentle and loving man and his family will be forever grateful for the time they had with him. He will best be remembered by all for his patience, curiosity, inquisitive nature, abounding love, and unyielding faith. May God be praised in Bill’s life and afterwards.

To remember, say goodbye, and praise God for our wonderful Bill:

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 2nd at Langley Immanuel Christian Reformed Church 21713-50 th Avenue, Langley, BC V3A 3T2 from 7:00-9:00 PM

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 3rd at Langley Immanuel Christian Reformed Church 21713-50th Avenue, Langley, BC V3A 3T2 at 2:00 PM

Please note that while every accommodation is being made, seating and parking may be limited for these services. We expect to broadcast the memorial service online, and more details will be made regarding this shortly.

In place of flowers, please make donations to Lifewater Canada. (http://www.lifewater.ca). Lifewater Canada is a group of volunteers that trains, equips, and supports the rural poor in Haiti & Africa to drill wells and build washrooms, and Bill has been involved in this organization for many years. A cheque can also be sent directly to Lifewater through the mailing address below:

Lifewater
307 Euclid Ave, Suite 194
Thunder Bay, ON
P7E 6G6

- The Versteegs -

3 comments:

  1. To the Versteeg Family

    Our deepest condolences as you commemorate Bill’s life in these next few days. We here in Ontario know just a little about Bill and his life’s work as a result of a couple of visits with Tante Stein in Edmonton in days long past. Thanks for posting some details for us to read. We too will sustain you in our prayers.

    Elbert van Donkersgoed
    Food & Farming Journalist & Consultant
    Terra Coeur
    22 Glasgow St N
    Guelph ON N1H 4V5
    519-763-2589
    LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=38192238&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
    Blog: http://terracoeur.wordpress.com/

    Editor, Plumbline Locavore News. Subscribe at Plumbline-subscribe@terracoeur.com

    PS. My mother's name was Aaltje Versteeg

    ReplyDelete
  2. Judy and family,
    Thinking of you with love,
    Gord and Marion (VanGaalen)

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  3. I was very grateful for my time being mentored by and working with Bill at Immanuel. He was a special person. The kind that you realized was more special the longer you got to know him. Most importantly, he was a man of God that dedicated his life to the Lord, his family, and the church. There is much to learn from his life example.

    It is with a heavy heart that I say good bye to Bill along with the rest of his family and community.

    We will all be with Brother Bill again. Praise God for that.

    Dan Meyer - former Youth Pastor, Immanuel CRC.

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