William Charles “Bill” Shaw was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on January 4, 1940. During the war years, Bill and his mother lived with his grandparents while his father was deployed. Following the war, the family settled in North Vancouver, where Bill spent his childhood exploring Grouse Mountain and the coastal waters of Howe Sound. He cherished memories of boating, camping, and fishing with his father and grandfather, and as a teenager spent several summers working as a fire lookout in the Manning Park fire tower on Windy Joe – a job he often described as one of the happiest experiences of his life.

After serving for two years in the Royal Canadian Navy, Bill joined his father in the family business, travelling throughout British Columbia and the Yukon installing steel factory doors. Although he enjoyed the work, his lifelong dream was to become a park ranger.

That dream became a reality when Bill joined the British Columbia Parks Branch as District Superintendent of Golden Ears Provincial Park. In 1975, he transferred from the Lower Mainland to the Southern Vancouver Island Parks District, where he was responsible for both marine and land-based parks stretching from Victoria to Nanaimo. He devoted the remainder of his career to protecting and stewarding British Columbia’s provincial parks. Above all else, Bill proudly and happily identified himself as a park ranger.

Later in life, Bill married the love of his life, Catherine Lynne Shaw, who predeceased him. He was a devoted father to his beloved sons, David (Jolene), James (Cheryl), and Kristen. He will be remembered for his love of nature, his quiet strength, his dedication to public service, and the deep pride he took in preserving the natural beauty of British Columbia for future generations.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Erica Bacon and the entire Island Health Home Support Team, as well as the compassionate staff of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Palliative Care Unit, Beacon Community Services, the Re-Turn It Depot in Sidney, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Victoria for their exceptional care, kindness, and support.

A very special thank you is extended to Rick and Louise Bailey, whose friendship, generosity, and unwavering support meant more than words can express. Their kindness, compassion, and willingness to help in countless ways made them the very best neighbours anyone could ever hope for.

Bill’s life was guided by a simple belief:

“We may not know life’s purpose or meaning, but we do know that without love, we have nothing.”

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.