William Cuthbert Lowe was born on the family farm on the west side of Lake Saskatoon. He attended Lake Saskatoon Consolidated School to Grade 11, and finished his formal education with one year at Grande Prairie High School. He enjoyed sports as a young man, playing fastball, and track and field. He also developed a love for music that lasted all of his life, teaching himself to play cornet, then saxophone, and handed that love down to his children and grandchildren.
After high school Bill taught himself accounting, and was employed with the Province of Alberta Treasury Branches from 1939 to 1943.
Bill was a proud World War II veteran. Volunteering for service, he joined the Canadian Army Reserve Artillery and served in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie between 1939 and 1943. In 1943 he joined the Canadian Army PF Royal Canadian Signals, in Barriefield, Ontario. He declined a recommendation for Officers’ School in order to transfer overseas sooner. He served in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Continental Europe during World War II until 1946, attaining the rank of Signalman.
Upon his return, he married the sweetheart he left behind, and went to work for The Alberta Seed Growers in Edmonton for 10 years. Bill and his wife returned to Grande Prairie in 1956, and he was employed by Sargent Motors as a Bookkeeper/Office Manager until 1969. After leaving the dealership, Bill was offered a job with Holroyd Drugs Ltd., where he very much enjoyed the last 10 years of his working life, before having to retire in 1979 due to his health.
Though his employment life was busy and stressful, Bill still found time for volunteer work. He was first an active member with the Lions Club, then Rotary Club, and Royal Canadian Legion. He held volunteer accounting positions with the Victorian Order of Nurses, The Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Grande Prairie Civic Housing Board. He was also was an active supporter of music with local community Bands, in Grande Prairie, Sexsmith and Beaverlodge. He actively supported establishing music programs in Grande Prairie Public Schools, as well as the Grande Prairie and District Music Festival.
Bill passed away on August 19, 1998 and is interred at the City of Grande Prairie Cemetery.