A man of faith and family
Founder of WJ Kamler & Son builders
WILLIAM John (Bill) Kamler was born in Toowoomba on October 24, 1929, the only son of Bill (Snr) and Florence (nee Carter).
Two and a half years later Bill’s sister Colleen joined the family.
Bill initially attended Holy Name Convent in Bridge St before heading to St Mary’s Christian Brothers College where he completed his formal education.
During this time the family lived in Hill St directly across from St Mary’s College.
Upon leaving school, Bill started a carpentry apprenticeship with the building firm Tate and Kamler and was taught the tricks of the building trade by his father.
After completing his apprenticeship on November 29, 1948, Bill worked in the business.
During the 1950s a new partnership was formed between Bill and his father and the building firm WJ Kamler and Son was established.
Despite the retirement of Bill Snr in 1963 and the fact that neither of Bill’s sons went into the trade, the business continued in this format until Bill’s retirement.
During the 60s, 70s and 80s, many building projects were undertaken with Bill completing commercial projects such as renovations to the then White Horse Hotel in Ruthven St, construction of the public amenities at Mt Kynoch and contracts at the Oakey Army Aviation Base.
A large number of private houses were also completed during this time.
In 1952, while helping his father build the family holiday home on the Gold Coast, Bill met Patricia (Pat) Brady at a dance at Tweed Heads.
Pat was also from Toowoomba and she had been holidaying at the coast with friends.
Upon returning to Toowoomba their friendship quickly grew resulting in their engagement being announced three months after their meeting.
They were married 12 months later on December 18, 1954, at St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Bill also won the heart of his mother-in-law and became quite an influence in the Brady clan in the ensuing years.
In March 1955, Bill completed building the family home in Second Ave, Harristown.
The newlyweds moved in and created a home for themselves and their family over the next 50 years.
Bill and Pat were to have three children. Shane was the first addition to the family with Paul and Anne following a little while later.
Over the years the original house was extended to accommodate the growing family and the entertainment/barbecue area was built to ensure that the numerous parties were enjoyed by all.
The original car accommodation was also extended to provide Bill with a workshop which eventually became the home for his wood turning activities.
Bill was always involved in the Catholic community and as a young adult became involved in the YCW youth group where he made many lifelong friends.
He was known for his quirky sense of humour and he always had a twinkle in his eye and a cold beer in his hand.
It was therefore no surprise that Bill quickly became involved in the fledgling St Anthony’s parish community.
He was a practical man and was always at the head of the queue to volunteer for the working bees to mow the school grounds, collect the empty beer bottles to raise money for the local scout group along with his dedication to the St Vincent de Paul Society.
He also became heavily involved in the fundraising for St Vincent’s Hospital via their rodeo committee.
Of course, these community activities were thirsty and hungry work so there were always people coming and going for a meal and cold beer with laughter and good times high on the agenda.
There was always a sense of belonging in the developing Harristown neighbourhood with young families moving in and getting together socially.
As well as working with wood, Bill had a passion for gardening which saw his rose bush collection expand until there were 50 different roses growing in the garden.
Bill loved his camera which was rarely out of his reach.
From the paper photos taken with the Box Brownie to the slides of the 1960s and then to the digital age, he loved showing family and friends what he had captured on his camera.
In the 60s the Kamlers were introduced to the world of caravanning.
After that, the family holidays were always an adventure and saw the Kamlers travel to many distant destinations from Adelaide to Cairns.
Beach side caravan parks on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts were also popular.
Once Bill retired, the caravan again became prominent as it was time to hit the road and explore the parts of Australia that Bill and Pat had not yet seen, this meant that they were away for three to four months at a time and circumnavigated the country on three occasions.
In 2004, the family home was sold and the move was made to Village on the Downs where were made. at lathe Bill The renewed lots and spent Village of other the old and adapting wood initial friendship new turning ones time his environment tools to their new where smaller he woodworking continued his which lifetime saw love family of and friends all receive clocks and numerous other wooden creations as gifts. On his 80th birthday in 2009, Bill left Australia for the first time when he and Pat travelled to New Zealand. Then a few years later, they boarded the Pacific Dawn for a South Pacific cruise for their 60th wedding anniversary. Just on two years ago, Bill and Pat moved from The Village to Brodribb Home and for the first time in 50 years they weren’t living in Harristown/St Anthony’s Parish.
Again, new friends were made and old friendships rekindled.
Bill’s health started to fail him over the last 12 months.
On Monday, July 9, Bill closed his eyes for the last time after saying goodbye to family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Pat, children Shane, Paul and Anne, grandchildren Andrew, Megan, Brett and Ashleigh and great-grandchildren Riley, Jada and Flynn.