Harry Jack "Bill" Barkwill of Summerland passed away December 5, 2008. Bill was born on March 22, 1914 in Haselmere, England to Jack and Ellen Barkwill. He is survived by his wife, Berolyn, children Kathleen Aten (Jan), Robin Wyndham (Susan McIver), Jack Barkwill (Mary Rozankoski), Nancy Hunka (Larry), Richard Barkwill (Therese Washtock), Joan Skeet (Stuart McLeod) and Gray Barkwill (Wanda),grandchildren Malcolm McNaughton (Coreen), Kathryn Watts (John), Anna Saprunoff, Molly Ehmann (Dan), Megan Barkwill, Sarah Barkwill and Gwen Hunka, and great grandchildren Ian and Neal McNaughton and Scarlett Ehmann. Bill was predeceased by his daughter, Patricia, and brother, Robert. In 1922, Bill and his family sailed across the Atlantic on a steam ship, crossed Canada by rail and travelled down Lake Okanagan to Summerland aboard a stern wheeler. Their first residence was a tent in Peach Orchard. Bill was a leader in both business and community affairs. With his brother he operated Barkwills Ltd., one of the largest fruit canneries in the Okanagan. The brothers, who had run the family orchard, started the cannery as a way of making ends meet when fruit prices collapsed in the 1930s. Eventually they farmed over 100 acres of orchard to help meet the needs of the cannery. He sat on the executive of the Canadian Food Processors Association and the Western Food Processors Association. Bill had a distinguished career in community service as well as in business. He was mayor of Summerland for two years in the early 1970's and served 13 years as alderman. He also served as chair of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. In 1945, Bill married Berolyn Atkinson with whom he raised eight children. He loved to hunt, fish and explore the outdoors in his Willy’s Jeep. Bill read extensively and maintained a keen interest throughout his life in local history and politics. He was noted for his unfailing good manners, quiet sense of humour and devotion to his family. The family thanks Richard Braund, John and Christine Danylowich and the staff at Giant’s Head Companion Care, Debbie Mulligan of Beltone Hearing Clinic, Summerland Pharmacy, We Care, Dr. Khati Hendry and the staff of Medical South, Penticton Regional Hospital who all helped and supported Bill and his family. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Summerland. Burial will follow at the Anglican Cemetery on Giant’s Head Road. A reception will be held at Rosedale Memorial Chapel. Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church or the Heart and Stroke Society of BC and Yukon. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Providence Funeral Homes. Condolences may be directed to the family: summerlandfuneralhome@vip.net