Bill Shatford, who is 92 years old, was raised in Burnaby and Joyce Shatford, who is 91 years old, was raised in New Westminster. They met one another at a bible camp. Bill said, "Even though it was 70 years ago I remember it well. I saw her there under a tree. She was singing along with her sister. I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her. She was 18 and I was 19. Her dad took me aside and said she could not marry until she was 21. Shortly after that conversation I went off to service and I wrote to her five times a week. We got married when I got out of the military and the rest is history."
The couple recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. Together they raised eight children (six girls and two boys) who netted them 25 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren with one more on the way.
Joyce laughed and said, "It seems impossible that we have a son and two daughters that are seniors and are eligible to collect from the Canada Pension Plan. All eight of our children turned out great. They all live out of town with the exception of Lynne who works for the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and Darlene who owns the wool shop called the Top Drawer Yarn Studio above Book's and Company. In fact, we had all eight of our children contributing in one way or another to our 70th anniversary party. We have been so blessed and we give thanks every day."
Bill worked for many years in the retail food business. They eventually ended up in Prince Rupert where Bill managed the Shop Easy store and a staff of 35 people.
Bill said, "In 1969 I left the food industry and on a leap of faith we moved to Prince George and I went into full-time Christian ministry at the Kelly Road Gospel Chapel. Health issues over the past few years have slowed me down a bit, however I still praise the Lord every day for our health and strength."
I asked Joyce what she did for a living and Bill interjected and said, "Yes, she sure did work for a living. She worked at home raising our eight children which in itself is a full time job. The deal was that I would provide for the family and Joyce would look after the children and she sure did a great job!"
Joyce is still an active volunteer. She plays the piano at Laurier Manor and the Jubilee and the Rainbow Lodge several times each month as well as volunteering at the Bibles for Missions Thrift Store.
At the age of 91 Joyce stays active by playing badminton two times a week at the Connaught Youth Centre. Joyce laughs and says, "Well, why not? I might as well keep playing while I still can."
Bill and Joyce have not only lived at the Chateau for the past eight years they lead a hymn sing once a month in the activity room at the Chateau. Bill said, "We sing duets during my preaching. We sing and pray together along with many of the patients at the hospital. We are a team. To tell you what I believe in I will summarize it all by saying: In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus."
October Birthdays that I know about: Emma Mauro, Dave Mazurak, Kelly Flath, Bill Jones, Lindy Barnes, Dick Lenko, Tass Goussis, Magdalene Pudlas, Alda Russman, Pam Boulding, Don Thompson, Minnie Meier, Janice Taylor, John Broderick, Adene Clay, Pietje Kragt, Joe Chartrand, Frank Sarrazin, Patti Esopenko, Wilf Peckham, Lloyd Iwaskow, Heather Corbett, Eileen Hoagland, Syl Meise, Art Reynolds, Judy Shul, Patricia Hearn, Bill Mintenko, Barb Sandberg, Cameron Sutherland, Robbyn Unruh, Don Wilson, Pat Husberg, Sally Rosevear, Helen Webber, Viola Howson, Helen Huxley, Tina Dyck, Gerald Bjorgaard, Esther Anderson (96), and Marie Jackson (93). There were three special Birthdays that I missed for September - Bea Stanley, Doris Dahl (90) and Roberta Johansen.
Anniversaries: 61 years for Swede and Amelia Peterson, 60 years for Allan and Gladys Thorp, 60 years for Alan and Marjorie Nevison, 52 years for Bob and Ruth Reid, 52 years for John and Judy Elmquist, 50 years for Jerry and Mildred Popowych and 50 years for Bill and Donna Bosnich.
