Obituary of James "Bill" Costley

James "Bill" William Costley of Bateman, SK, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2016, at the age of 75 years. Bill was born on July 3rd, 1941 in Gravelbourg, SK. He was predeceased by his father James Andrew in 1947; mother Leona (nee Bien) in 1964; stepfather Fred James in 1995; nephew Brent Benaschak in 2003; sister Marjorie Brown in 2010; and brother-in-law Marvin Brown in 2013. He is survived by his devoted wife Ellen; son Jim (Nancy), grandchildren Brooke, Dylan, Avery, Shay; son Ken (Marie); son Jeff; son Darren (Angie), grandchildren Nolan, Regan, Ashton, Jaxon; sister June (Frank) Benaschak; brothers Larry (Sandra) and Dwayne (Debbie) James. Bill grew up and attended school in the Bateman area with his brothers and sisters. He was a quick learner and could do many tasks at a very young age, including driving the wagon. Bill attended mechanics schooling in Edmonton and then took a telephone repairman course in Regina. He worked on phone lines for many years and also sold Forney Welders. In 1964, he started his own farm after buying a quarter section from his stepfather Fred and continued to be involved on the farm until 2015, spanning over 50 years. In 2008, Bill and Ellen received the Century Family Farm Award for the Costley Farm. He was involved in a few business ventures, including a snowmobile dealership with Jim Bateman and the family Air Conditioning business with the boys helping on the farm. He could fix or make just about anything. Jim and Bill built a press which he was very proud of, there were not too many things he couldn't straighten or separate. Like so many young men in the Bateman area, Bill found his true love with a young school teacher. Ellen Salahub was teaching in Bateman on an intern teaching job in 1965 when they met. It was a quick romance and Bill and Ellen were married in 1966. There was a lot of hard work on the farm, but always time for fun. The boys were required to help around the farm, even at an early age. He taught them to drive and work the machinery. Bill loved animals and always brought home a new pet. There was everything from crows, rabbits, pigeons and numerous dogs. There were always lots of snowmobiles and motorbikes on the farm. Bill enjoyed traveling, whether it was the Costley/Allen Caravan's or trips to Hawaii and Florida. Summers were filled with fishing at Turtle Lake and staying at Uncle Walt's cabin. There were trips to Jan Lake, where Bill didn't get much fishing in as he was always helping the kids with their lines. He also enjoyed going on annual trips up north fishing with the guys. This past year Bill and Ellen finally got to go on an Alaska Cruise with many friends. Bill was active in sports, including fastball, hockey, and curling. When he played ball he used "the glove". It was well broken in and resembled something Charlie Brown used but he always made the catch with the ball hanging out like an ice cream cone. He loved playing hockey with the Bateman Blues or the Hodgeville Old Coyotes. He also coached all the boys in hockey and even played rec hockey on the same team as all four boys. Bill was a lifetime member of the Lions Club, a member of the local Masonic Lodge, held numerous positions with the Wiwa Creek Wildlife Federation, and was Councillor and then Reeve for the RM of Gravelbourg. He was an active member of the Bateman volunteer fire department from 1966-2015, with 25 years as the fire chief. For his service with the fire department, he was recently awarded the Provincial Protective Service and the Canadian Exemplary Service Medals. Bill's greatest joy was his grandchildren, and he took great pride in spending time teaching them to fish, shoot, drive a boat, quad or golf cart. He loved his community and to socialize over a wee dram of scotch and always had a cold beer in the shop for anyone that stopped by. Bill was a family man, hardworking, honest and generous. He was an amazing husband and father, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at the Bateman Community Hall, with Pastor Neil Gilbert officiant. The eulogy was shared by Jim, Ken, Jeff, and Darren. Urn bearers were Bill's grandchildren, Brooke, Dylan, Avery, Shay, Nolan, Regan, Ashton, and Jaxon. An honour guard was formed by the Bateman and Gravelbourg Lions Clubs. Interment took place at the Bateman Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Bill to the Kidney Foundation of Saskatchewan, 1545C McAra St., Regina, SK S4N 6H4, were greatly appreciated.