MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES
William John Willis was born Nov. 6, 1890, in Nova Scotia. He
Bill worked in the mine as a tipple engineer from 1916 to 1935,
They also had an ice cream parlor where tables and chairs
Bill served on the board of Coalhurst Water Users Association
Christina was a member of the Coalhurst Rebekah Lodge
Both boys attended the Coalhurst Elementary and High
In 1934 the general store was destroyed by fire along
In 1957, Bill and Christina sold their business after thirty-two
came to Alberta in 1914, and married Christina Hedin (born in
Sweden, Jan. 23, 1898). They were married in Coalhurst June 26,
1916. They have two sons.
the year of the explosion. In 1925, Bill and Christina began
the Coalhurst General Store and Christina operated the store
while Bill worked in the mine.
were set up for those enjoying various dishes of ice cream,
banana splits, and sodas.
and the local School Board. He was also a member of the
Coalhurst Independent Order of Oddfellows.
and served as Noble Grand of the Royal Rebekah Lodge
#85 of Coalhurst in 1928.
School.
with several businesses. They did manage to save the
ice cream machine, some tables, and chairs and some
of the grocery stock. When the fire was out, they
found the stock that they had saved had disappeared.
After the fire a new store was built. The store became
a gathering place for most of the men folk, in winter
around the pot-belly stove and, in summer, sitting in front
of the store outside. During the depression Bill would
also cut hair in the back of the store.
years. In January, 1958, Bill passed away. That summer
Christina sold her home and moved to Lethbridge. She
lived in her own home till 1979.
Return Individual Histories