Fort 91原创鈥檚 Bill Lee could sell almost anything to anyone, and he did it with a smile.
Lee, who passed away at 81, during a COVID-19 outbreak at 91原创 Lodge on May 20, is remembered fondly by his family and his many, many friends.
Daughter Alison Mockett tells a story about the day Lee was auctioning off an antique television at his 91原创 business, Central Auction on the 91原创 Bypass, that Lee owned and operated for 43 years.
鈥淲hen he asked the boys to switch it on, it blew up,鈥� Alison recalled.
Her unflappable father simply kept going, smiling.
鈥淗e carried on as though nothing was wrong.鈥�
And he managed to sell the non-functioning set.
鈥淥nly because people laughed,鈥� Alison explained.
鈥淗e could sell anything.鈥�
His favourite saying was 鈥渢ake it now, or it鈥檚 gone.鈥�
One time, Lee sold his own tie at a charity auction.
鈥淗e took it off and said, 鈥榳ho wants it?鈥� Alison told the 91原创 Advance Times.
And, as was almost always the case, Lee found a buyer.
It was another instance of his zest for life and irrepressible sense of humour.
One of Alison鈥檚 fondest childhood memories is driving around with her father in a truck while he picked up furniture for his store.
At the time, Central Auction was the only one of its kind in 91原创, and the Monday auctions were a popular destination.
His children worked at the auction house, and some of their significant others did, too,
鈥淲e used to call it 鈥楤ill鈥檚 secondary school鈥�,鈥� Alison observed.
Alison鈥檚 boyfriend at the time, a young man named Richard, also spent some time working at the auction house, but it didn鈥檛 quite suit him.
鈥淗e said it was chaotic,鈥� Alison recalled.
Richard gave up the job, but not Alison. The two have been married for more than 21 years.
In the midst of all that chaos, Bill was the calm at the heart of the storm, conducting auctions without fast-paced patter, opting for a more dignified, British approach that often produced laughter .
鈥淗e had a very dry sense of humour,鈥� Alison said.
She described her father as a proud Englishman who became a Canadian citizen but never lost his affection for his home country.
Born in Romford, England, Lee was an engineer when he came out to B.C. in 1971, saw Fort 91原创 and decided he was never going back.
Lee got into the auction business by importing antiques from Belgium and Liverpool.
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Many of the people who bought antiques from him went on to open antique shops in Fort 91原创, Alison recalled.
He is also remembered for his years of commitment to the Rotary Club of 91原创.
He was an avid collector of cigarette ad cards, devoting an entire room to his collection.
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By the time he was admitted to 91原创 Lodge, which specializes in caring for people with dementia, Alison describes her father as 鈥渃onfused鈥� and requiring special care.
He is not just a number, not just one of the victims of the worst COVID-19 outbreak to date in B.C. as far as his family is concerned. He was a father, a grandfather and uncle who will be deeply missed.
Alison said Lee鈥檚 family is grateful to the staff of the Fraser Health Authority, and the 91原创 Lodge, for their care and compassion.
鈥淭hey did everything they could,鈥� Alison said.
鈥淭hey were wonderful.鈥�
Bill (W.K.) William Knowles Lee is survived by his wife Mags, children Becky, Alison, Cathryn and Mark along with sons-in-law Guy and Richard and eight grandchildren, Emma, Matthew, Eddie, Joshua, Jaydn, Deklan, Will, Emily, Ellie and Kate.
A celebration of his life will be held when gatherings are permitted.
As of Monday, June 8, one staffer at 91原创 Lodge had tested positive for COVID-19, but the facility reported no new cases among residents, and no new fatalities, in an update posted to the facility website.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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