The community of Prince George has shown an outpouring of support for local MLA Shirley Bond after she announced the passing of her husband yesterday in a social media post.
"The time has come for me to share some news that has broken my heart," Bond wrote. "Some of you know that my husband Bill has been facing a series of health challenges during the last months."
"His heart, kidneys, crushed vertebrae, the list goes on. The final challenge was a massive left brain stroke that Billy just couldn’t manage despite his courageous efforts. My beloved husband of more than 41 years passed away at St. Paul’s Hospital in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. I struggle to imagine a world without Billy in it. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was my life partner and best friend. More later, but for now, rest well Billy, we love you to the moon and back!"
After her announcement, messages across the province came in from politicians, the community of Prince George and numerous friends of Bill. Bond has spent time answering each message she's received on Twitter.
Bill and Shirley were always seen around the city attending numerous events, fundraisers and supporting the community.
From all of us at PrinceGeorgeMatters, we express our sincerest condolences to Shirley, friends and family of Bill.
Thank you so much @SChandraHerbert - means a lot! https://t.co/9OLbLVrrUy
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
My dear friend @ellisbross my Bill held you in such high regard. I think he was almost happier for you on election night than me LOL. Your kind rememberance means the world to me and I know Billy would be so pleased. https://t.co/PGGujORcZ1
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
@shirleybond from our family here at Local 1372, our deepest condolences to you and your family at this time of loss. We are here for you with whatever you may need.
— IAFF Local 1372 (@pgfirefighters) June 9, 2020
My sincerest condolences Shirley.
— Richard Zussman (@richardzussman) June 9, 2020
The UNBC family extends its deepest condolences to @ShirleyBond on the loss of your husband Bill. You and Bill were a phenomenal team working together as advocates for our region and our University. We will miss him dearly.
— University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (@UNBC) June 9, 2020
Our deepest condolences to @shirleybond, and the rest of the Bond family, with the recent passing of “Billy” Bond. Bill was an avid @PGCougars, @SpruceKings, and of course Cariboo Cougars fan, we will miss seeing you at the rink... pic.twitter.com/LL6POMZjzj
— Cariboo Cougars (@cariboocougars) June 9, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss @shirleybond . Renee and I send our deep condolences to you and your family.
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) June 9, 2020
So very kind of you, I am deeply touched. I am broken hearted at the loss of our amazing “Billy”. He faced this difficult journey in the same way he lived his life, with a quiet strength and an overwhelming, deep love for his family. He was my best friend and life partner! https://t.co/TRsuoZtf7H
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you so much @CMHAPG so kind of you to reach out. Your support is needed and appreciated. https://t.co/CJvWBP5D0I
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
That is so true! Bill loved where we live and as you know our “date nights” were most often some community event or other . . . Thank you @thehubspace https://t.co/18nsrU79Y3
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you @s_malcolmson - so very true. It made a difficult time almost unbearable . . . https://t.co/tsxW4d3m1o
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
I so appreciate the support @PGChamberCEO Bill was so proud to live in this amazing community and the overwhelming love and care for our family that has been shown is deeply appreciated. https://t.co/T1cuTDRlXt
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Kyle, you know how much Bill cared about you! I am very grateful @SampsonKyle for your support through these last months. Counting on it in the days ahead . . . https://t.co/2WgFFjv33e
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you so much @DanAlbas some of our very best family memories were made in your area. https://t.co/0Yk3vSfukl
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you @WatermanVJ we love our community and we loved serving it together! https://t.co/muMwD27w99
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
I can’t thank you enough @Steve4Kelowna for introducing us to the world of Rugby Sevens. We absolutely loved being there and then sharing the stories with you. Bill was always pretty impressed with your rugby sevens attire. We deeply appreciate your friendship. https://t.co/Rz34PDd5rQ
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
I will be counting on that, thank you @MarcDalton https://t.co/mkofZ9LINU
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you @mikefarnworthbc (Farnie!) Bill and I talked a lot about our coffee project . . . https://t.co/Pkqswsn6Ob
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you so much @MackenzieKerr97 it is so very sad and painful https://t.co/WTLNDROjV9
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you so much @Puglaas my family appreciates it very much https://t.co/aNkE6WdCaH
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you @RachnaSinghNDP https://t.co/miHUz2FO6v
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Our family is grateful @DanBurritt thank you for your note. https://t.co/p4NNZyxkrs
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thanks so much @LoralynMurdoch https://t.co/oQ2bHvOIzu
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
I very much appreciate this @selinarobinson As I sit here tonight adjusting to this very unexpected “new normal” the kind comments and support for our family make it a little more bearable. https://t.co/4ZVnavAi9g
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Aww, thank you so very much @juliadfoy It has only been days, but feels like a lifetime https://t.co/kTh3Nedpl2
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you so much @Terri_Mcconna life will not be the same without him! https://t.co/iPZdk4HDn6
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
Thank you so much @TerryLake19 - I appreciate your friendship. https://t.co/L5Mr5VgwVx
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
We pass along our deepest condolences to Shirley Bond on the passing of her husband Bill. One half of Team Bond. Bill and Shirley have worked tirelessly on behalf of all of Northern BC with wit and humor, energy and passion they were an amazing team for all of us. pic.twitter.com/BuMZJcqbCW
— PG Hospice House (@PGHospice) June 9, 2020
My family is so grateful for the support and this thoughtful post @PGMatters - the kind words help bring strength as we grieve. https://t.co/kL2VQs171J
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) June 9, 2020
To @shirleybond:
— Kyle Anderson (@KCAndo23) June 9, 2020
Your support of our Spruce Kings extends far beyond my time here, but I’m definitely going to miss seeing you and Billy walk into the rink together on game nights. Our thoughts are with you.
I’ll also miss explaining my confusing playoff packages to him.
