POTMA, John William (Bill)

March 23, 1936 - May 27, 2022

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Potma on May 27, 2022. He passed away peacefully at Surrey Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was surrounded by family during those last few weeks and is now in heaven with his Lord and Saviour.

Bill is pre-deceased by his wife Joan (2003) and survived by his wife of 14 years, Tina and son Stan (Teri) and daughters Leslie (Paul) and Julia (Karl) as well as many grand and great grandchildren.

Bill grew up in Heerenveen, The Netherlands and immigrated to Canada in 1953 with his family. The family of ten settled in the Niagara region of Southern Ontario. Eventually, Bill would move his own family to Coquitlam in 1978 to be closer to the 'forest' he dreamed of as a child.

Bill started his professional life as a talented draftsman and spent all 60 years of his working life in the mining and material handling equipment industry and became known as a Conveyor Specialist.

Bill was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Hamilton, ON Dollard-des Ormeaux, QC, Coquitlam, and Surrey where he always served faithfully in church leadership. He also served in various roles with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (now World Renew). Bill was compassionate and very dedicated to meeting the needs of those in his own community and around the world.

Bill was passionate about the forest and the trees that filled them. As well as many walks in the forest, he was involved with both the Friends of Mundy Park Heritage Society and Green Timbers Heritage Society.

His was a life well lived on earth to the glory of God!

A Celebration of Life will be held at Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church, 9165 160th Street, Surrey, BC on June 7th at 2:00 pm.