Sikking, Willem

MR. WILLIAM SIKKING passed away courageously and peacefully with family at his side on Sunday April 11, 2021 at the age of 86 years.

Beloved husband of 66 years to Johanna Sikking, father and father-in-law of Henry Sikking of Lethbridge, John Sikking (Sharon) of Okotoks, Len Sikking (Melanie) of Hamilton, Ontario and Joyce Stoperski of Lethbridge: proud grandfather of Christopher(Angelina), Sydney Sikking, Breonna (Ben) Steinman, Madison Sikking (Donavan), Alexis Maciejko (Brett), Emily Maciejko, Nicole Sikking (Jesse), Sean Sikking, Amanda Reykdal (Andrew), and Clayton Stoperski (Gina);   loving great grandfather to Layson Hurst, Aspyn Stoperski and, Ashir Steinman.

William was predeceased by his parents Hendrick and Josephine, his brothers Karl and Jacque and his sister Aldonna and, daughter-in-law Adele Sikking.

William was born April 21, 1934 in Geleen, the Netherlands. He was married to Johanna on February 3, 1955 in Brunsum, the Netherlands. After having their first child in the Netherlands William and Johanna, along with Johanna's Brother Jon, made the decision to immigrate to Canada.  They boarded a ship in 1958, landed on Canada's east coast and then made their way to Calgary by train. After living in Calgary for a few years William found a job in Lethbridge as a printer. William made Lethbridge his home for the rest of his life, where he and Johanna raised their four children. William worked as a printer until his retirement in his early sixties. As well as his career as a printer, he loved music.  William played the Clarinet and Saxophone from a young age.  He played in a Military band in the Netherlands and joined a Military band in Lethbridge. William played with a few different bands before starting his own four-piece band, the Metros, which played for many dances over the band's 40-year history. His hobbies included gardening and HO scale trains on which he spent many years building and rebuilding a 500 square foot train layout. If he wasn't gardening, working with his trains or playing music he was fishing and camping with his family.

William lived his life with passion for family and friends, his sense of humor would instantly warm up any family gathering. He was a kind and gentle man that always put others first.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Good Samaritans Park Meadows Lodge, a special thank you to Amanda and Theresa.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. with Patrick Siedlecki officiating. The service will be live streamed and may be accessed via Willem's obituary on the Cornerstone website.