William “Bill” Gorrie, born in Scotland on October 6, 1921, was the eldest son of John Gorrie and Helen (Nellie) Inch Gorrie, who immigrated to Canada. His father sailed in 1922. At age 2, Bill and his mother followed (in 1923). Settling in the Bear Lake area, John and Nellie homestead on the land NE 35-72-7. After Bill, six more children were born: Jack in 1925, Helen, Betty, Alec in 1933 and Harold, plus David who died in infancy. Bill attended Canuck School from Grades 1 to 8, and then worked for his father and Rae Sears after leaving school. While working in Spirit River, he met his future wife, Doris Walker. Shortly after their marriage, Bill joined the army, for 3 ½ years. His father, John, also served in the Army in WW II. Part of the Ordnance Corps, Bill was occupied as a driver and mechanic, who drove the military vehicles at night. Stationed in Europe, he entered Normandy (France) one day after D-day on June 7, 1944, and he was also posted in Belgium, Holland, and lastly in Germany when peace was declared. For one year after the war, Bill worked in the Netherlands (Holland) at an airfield where equipment was taken to be sold or discarded. Upon returning to Canada, he was employed at various places, mostly in lumber mills including Canfor in Grande Prairie. Doris and Bill lived in Grande Prairie raising 4 children: Fay, Shirley, Mervin, and Maurice. In 2015 Mill received a medal from France for his service in the war. Favorite pastimes were playing card, and camping with family and friends, and he was a life-time member of the Grande Prairie Legion. At age 97 Bill passed away at Mackenzie Place in Grande Prairie on March 4, 2018.
Source: Buffalo Trails pp. 121-122
Bob Kennedy – Legion
Surname File – Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune May 8, 2015 -News article on Bill regarding military service;
Grande Prairie Daily Herald- Tribune – Obituary William Inch Gorrie