William House Walton

William (Bill) Walton was born in Newcastle on Tyne, on 28th July 1939,and

died peacefully at his home in Black Creek on February 10th 2026. The son of

William and Amy Walton, he leaves behind his life-long partner, Linda, his

much-loved sons Alex and Dominic (Agi) and grandchildren, Levente and

Flora. He is also survived by his brother and friend, Peter (Jan) in England.

Bill did his post secondary education at Newcastle College of Art and Design

and at Leicester University. He was an avid theatre lover, did a summer

season in repertory theatre and was involved in the Hexham operatic society.

He was a keen tennis player and golfer.

He first left England for Jamaica in 1967 where he took up a job at

deCarteret College in Mandeville, opening up a Fine Art department and

teaching at the teachers’ training college. He stayed for 5 years and it was

there he learned to sail and where his sons were born.

When Bill and family emigrated to Canada in 1974, it was to join with an old

colleague, Bob Campbell, and start an art department at Cariboo College,

(now Thompson Rivers University). They worked off campus in a basement at

the Kamloops Indian Residential School, initially, but soon the Arts were

accommodated on campus, in portables, then later in custom built studios as

the department grew in size and diversity. He added computerized art for

animation, anticipating the growth of this medium,and went to Silicone Valley

to receive training. Theatre was later added and the department was renamed

the Fine and Performing Arts Department.

Theatre continued to be Bill’s passion, and he served on the board of the

Western Canada Theatre Company at the time when it received professional

recognition. The Sagebrush Theatre was built to serve WCTC’s growing needs

and in 1978 he was cast in Oliver, the opening show in the new facilities. He

was both an actor and director with the Kamloops Players, his favorite role

being Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady, which played to full houses.

In 1988 Bill was elected to city council where he served for 3 terms (11

years). In his capacity as Alderman, he was on the Royal Inland Hospital

Board, the Thompson Regional District board, the downtown revitalization

project and the Environmental Task Force. He was delighted to be at the Eagle

Point Golf Course when it opened, especially as, being a keen golfer,

(handicap 12), it was just 5 minutes up the road from his home.

In 2005, Bill retired as Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department and

moved to Black Creek to be able to pursue another love of his which was

sailing. He moved his boat to Pacific Playgrounds. He continued to be

involved with drama, directing and playwriting, both with the Rivercity Players

and with Courtenay Little Theatre. With ‘Aladdin”, he introduced Campbell

River to traditional British Pantomime.

Bill was a gentleman in every sense of the word. Both kind and generous,

with a wonderful sense of humor, he had a laugh which could fill a room. He

was very much loved and will be sorely missed.