William John (Bill) Buitendyk
August 11, 1930 - October 2, 2017
It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Bill Buitendyk at Vancouver General Hospital with his loving wife Anne at his side.
Bill was born in Amsterdam, Holland. After WWII and at the age of 17 he joined the Dutch Merchant Marines where he worked his way up to head chef. Bill immigrated to Canada in 1952 where he found work as a cook in Ocean Falls. Soon after he switched careers to become a papermaker for Crown Zellerbach.
Bill continued his education in the field of papermaking and worked his way up from foreman to supervisor, and eventually travelled abroad as a consultant for various paper companies around the globe.
Bill loved the outdoors and especially the sea. Some of his interests were music from different cultures, travelling, hiking, boating, fishing and practicing Qigong.
Bill will be greatly missed as a husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and dear friend to many.
Bill is survived by his wife Anne Lempfert, daughter Kathy Kwasnicki, son Peter (Debbie), grandchildren Mike (Richelle), Christine (Linda), Josh (Carmen), Adam (Andrea), Blake and great grandaughter Hana.
Bill is survived overseas by his sister Nan Buitendijk and her children Alexandra Mighawry and Bernard ter Hoeven.
Bill also leaves behind his step son Oliver Brehm and brother in law Klaus (Heike) Lempfert.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Sechelt on Saturday, November 4, 2017, 12 pm - 3 pm - Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens, 5941 Mason Road, Sechelt, B.C.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to 'Doctors Without Borders' or a charity of your choice.