It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. William Zylla, a longtime resident of Kelowna, BC. He passed away at his home in Kelowna on Wednesday July 2nd, 2008, at the age of 82 years. William was born in Chercheche, Ukraine on August 20, 1925. He immigrated to Canada with his parents at four years of age. His family homesteaded on Saskatoon Mountain and were later relocated (by the government to make way for the war time defense ‘Pine Tree Line’ radar station) to Blueberry Mountain area north of Spirit River, AB. He graduated from Saskatoon Bible Institute, later Married Helen (nee Screpnek) on October 25, 1951 and settled in Grande Prairie, AB. Here he obtained his journeyman carpentry ticket on July 20, 1956 by giving sound advice that was sometimes hard to swallow he was the “Holmes on Homes” of his day. He planted and pastored the Avondale Evangelical Ukrainian Baptist Church preaching in both English and Ukrainian. He built the church building which is now the original part of Christ Community Church. He also had a radio preaching ministry on Grande Prairie’s local radio station CFGP. He was known for sharing the gospel of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord with most people he met. He owned and operated logging trucks, gravel trucks and earth moving equipment. He was adept at heavy duty mechanics and welding. He owned and operated Norwood ESSO with his wife Helen the year Grande Prairie achieved city status in 1958. Together over the next 20 years they also built 20 houses and many renovation jobs as well as started a family. ‘Bill’ operated under the name South Peace Construction Ltd. Later on, his business would change from residential construction to oilfield road, lease and seismic construction. In the 1960’s he was one of the founders and active workers at Sturgeon Lake Baptist Bible Camp known today as Sturgeon Lake Bible Camp. In 1964 he filed for a homestead 9 miles north of DeBolt, AB and moved his wife and three children there in 1969 two miles past the end of the road. There they farmed and raised their family until he retired with his wife in 1981. They traveled throughout the US for a year and then settled in Kelowna, BC in November 1982 where they lived until his recent passing. Together Bill and Helen’s home would be known as “grand central station” entertaining friends and family as well as sharing their love for Jesus with everyone they met. It was a blessing to have ‘Dad’ with us at the Zylla family reunion in Edmonton on June 27 – 29th this year. At 3 am in Kelowna, BC the morning after his flight home, he suffered cardiac arrest and peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He leaves to cherish in memory his beloved wife of 56 years and treasured best friend, Helen Zylla; His daughter Sharon (Peter) Warkentin of DeBolt, AB and their children Ernie (Kim) Warkentin, Christopher (Michelle) Warkentin, Lance Warkentin, Brent Warkentin, Jeffrey Warkentin, and Kara Warkentin; His son, Ronald Zylla of Grande Prairie, AB; and his son Chuck (Keri) Zylla of Spruce Grove, AB and their children Billy Zylla and Benjamin Zylla; His Brother Mike (Marie) Zylla of Kelowna, BC; His brother John (Ann) Zylla of Kelowna, BC; His sister Katie Lovell of Calgary, AB; His sister Mary (Alex) Piatocha of Edmonton, AB; His brother Alec (Sonia) Zylla of Edmonton, AB; His brother Daniel (Irene) Zyla of Namao, AB; His brother David (Natalka) Zylla of Edmonton, AB; his sister-in-law Niena Screpnek; and his sister-in-law Sophie (George) Zubko, as well a God blessed rich extended family. He was predeceased by his parents Theodore (Fred) and Martha Zylla; His brother Nick (Ruth) Zella; His sister Enna and Jim Rogers; His sister Vera (Ed) Klettke; and his brother-in-law Metro (Niena) Screpnek. Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the Christ Community Church (10106-112 Ave) on Wednesday July 9th, 2008 at 11:00 am (a viewing will be held at Oliver’s Funeral Chapel (10005-107 Ave) the preceding evening 7-9pm). A light lunch will be provided at the church. The interment will follow at the Grande Prairie cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Gideons International or Sturgeon Lake Bible Camp. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversgrandeprairie.com