Bill Hodgson, a long-time Summerland municipal councillor and former owner of a local grocery store, died Friday, Feb. 17.
Hodgson collapsed two days earlier while walking in Trout Creek. Despite efforts by passers-by, paramedics and staff of the emergency and intensive-care units of Penticton Regional Hospital, he was unable to recover from the effects of a pulmonary embolism.
Hodgson was born Aug. 2, 1932, in Olds, Alta. He grew up in a large farm family. In 1955, he married Bea Kjos. They had three children (Jim, Sharry and Patty). Bill worked in several large supermarket companies in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario before coming to Summerland with his family in October 1968.
Hodgson is remembered as the friendly proprietor of Bill’s Shopping Basket, the grocery store that he and Bea ran from 1968 to 1990 on Victoria Road South.
Throughout his life, Hodgson was deeply involved in community activities. He was elected to serve on Summerland’s municipal council for several terms (1975-77 and 1984-1993). He spent many hours as a volunteer in leadership of the Summerland Chamber of Commerce, the Museum and Heritage Society, the Fall Fair association, the Summerland hospital board and the curling club.
Hodgson was also an avid gardener and was proud of his occasional Fall Fair prizes. He is survived by Bea, their three children and three grandchildren.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at the Summerland United Church.