Willi Terpin

November 9, 1947 - July 10, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

Willi Terpin, beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 76.

Willi was truly an exceptional man. In his early years, he enjoyed hunting big game and fishing. He soon discovered a passion for flying, becoming a commercial pilot and flight instructor. In 1974, he married his loving wife Vera and a year later had a son, Ralph.

With a young family to support, Willi settled down in Castlegar, working as a millwright at the local sawmill. He built an aerobatic airplane in the basement and then enjoyed performing loops and rolls at local airshows. In the 90s, his passion for flight evolved into soaring - flying his sailplane on award-winning cross-country flights using the natural wind currents instead of an engine.

He was a competitive shooter, winning countless trophies throughout the years as a practical shooter. As he grew older, he settled down to his weekly trips to the skeet range with his friends.

He provided his family with security and stability, as well as fixing most things that broke around the house. He helped out wherever he could in the neighbourhood while remaining quiet and private in general. He taught his son over the years what is right and what is wrong.

Throughout his life, Willi always enjoyed the outdoors. He was an active hiker and biker; he climbed Kilimanjaro with ease and in his later years went to Nepal each Autumn to hike in the Himalayas. His favourite place was always in the West Kootenays though, riding his mountain bike from Crescent Valley to Slocan City a few times each week until the very end.

We will celebrate Willi's amazing life at the Silver City Trap clubhouse (located halfway between Genelle and the Birchbank Golf course) on Saturday, July 27, starting at 2:00 pm.