William “Bill” Beattie grew up in a hardworking farm family in Grimshaw Alberta. The farm life instilled in Bill a strong work ethic and a strong belief in accomplishing what he set his mind to. A dedicated and loyal employee, Bill began his career with Alberta transportation in 1945 at the age of nineteen. His career with Alberta transportation was truly impressive with numerous highlights including the creation of a route from Whitecourt to Foxcreek, previously uncharted territory.
During his career Bill oversaw the building of hundreds of kilometers of roadways. The Community Foundation often talks about connecting people, Bill did just that, by constructing roadways across the Peace region, connecting Grande Cache to Peace River, and beyond.
Bill was an active Rotarian, a community leader, and could be found even into his seventies and eighties waking up bright and early to cook breakfast at senior’s lodges and nursing homes. Bill was a beloved member of the Grande Prairie community, his dedication to his home and the people of the Peace Region was truly remarkable. When Bill passed away, his family honoured his wishes to give back to the area he loved so much.
Through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta the Beattie family established the Beattie Family Fund. This fund provides youth of the region with knowledge and training opportunities in leadership. Bill wished to instill in the younger generation the importance of being a community leader, and the value of serving others and volunteering. The Beattie Family Fund also supports local charities to ensure that the services that are required to support the community are here for generations to come.
“We are excited about the Beattie Family Fund, because it provides the mechanism for Dad to support the community indefinitely. We are extremely proud of his decision to give back to the community and are honored that we were able to carry out his wishes on his behalf” says Bob Beattie.