William (Bill) Graves

  It is with sad hearts that the family of Frederick William (Bill) Graves announces his passing. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Jordan LifeCare Centre early Saturday morning. Bill was born at the Saint John City Hospital on June 5^th, 1946 as the only child of Clinton and Greta (Stockton) Graves. He will be dearly missed by his wife of nearly 43 years, Deborah Graves (Killam), his son, Eric Graves (Brenda), and daughters Krista Curtis (Calvin), Beverly Morris (Scott) and Abigail Rayner (Jason). He will also be missed by his grand-children Cole, Emma, Seth, Ashley and Alex and his great-granddaughter, Emi (Emilia), the sunshine of his life.

  He also touched the lives of his several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law as well as many nieces and nephews.

  He was predeceased by his parents Clinton and Greta, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Manford and Stella, his sister-in-law Lois and his brother-in-law Bob. He was also predeceased by his long time friends, Kenneth Harper, Bob Stackhouse and Bob Lutes.

  Born and raised in Harper Settlement, New Brunswick, he grew up with Eugene, Sam, Frank, Lane and John Harper and Cyril Monahan who were like brothers to him. In his early years, he attended a one room school house in Anagance Ridge, moving to Petitcodiac where he attended Petitcodiac Regional High School. He graduated in 1966. He went on to work as a bookkeeper for H.A. Fawcett and Sons for several years. It was there he met Allister Lloyd in the mid 1970s. They formed a trucking business called Lloyd & Graves Trucking Ltd for which he was the primary driver. The company prospered for almost 30 years. It was also during these years that he became a member of the St. John Ambulance and the Petitcodiac Kiwanis Club where, for decades, he donated countless hours of his time for his community; this is all while raising his family with Debi. Known for being a friendly, social and generous man with a heart of gold, he could make friends wherever he went and would do literally anything for anyone.

  Some of his fondest memories would include looking at classic cars, stock car racing, country music events with fiddles and mandolins, and watching Sunday NASCAR races. But, anyone who knew him would agree that he preferred the simple things in life – going for drives and finding wildlife to watch, playing cards and dice, and his top priority, spending time with family and friends.

  Debi and the family would like to thank Dr. Morton, the nurses and all the staff at the Jordan LifeCare Centre for their generous and attentive care while he resided there.

  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Salisbury Funeral Home, 3350 Route 106 (506-372-4800) with visiting Wednesday, February 14 from 6 pm – 8 pm. The funeral will be held in the chapel Thursday, February 15 at 11 am with Rev. David Hawkesworth officiating. Interment in Anagance Cemetery at a later date.

  If desired, donations in memory of Bill to Diabetes Canada or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.

  Online condolences at www.keirsteads.ca

Please click Here to view the funeral service livestream on Thursday, February 15 at 11 am