William Robert Epp
1 March 1953 – 3 March 2026
With deep sadness, the family of Bill Epp says goodbye, for now, to the middle brother. Bill was the second of three children born to Grace Anne Blackwood Epp (deceased 2013) and Alvin Epp (deceased 1981). He leaves behind his beloved wife Iliana, his older brother Chris (Anne Currie), his younger brother Steve (Deborah Cameron), his two children Talei and Shayne, and his aunt Shirley.
Bill had two careers. His first was one of adventure. He earned a B.Sc. in geology and worked as an exploration geologist. He walked through the steamy jungles of Fiji, Indonesia, Venezuela and other places, seeking precious minerals. Indiana Jones springs to mind. His second career was tamer. He got a B.Ed. degree, and taught special education kids in British Columbia and Ontario. This was so exhausting that he kept a couch in his office for naps.
To all those who knew him, Bill was larger than life. He loved social events. When he entered the room, everyone knew it. But he had a quieter, more serious side. He played guitar and wrote music for a bunch of songs. He enjoyed deep, probing conversations with close friends and relatives. And to those who knew him intimately, he was a sensitive, emotional person who expressed his feelings freely.
Bill always looked on the sunny side of life. If there were clouds, he looked for the silver lining. He battled cancer long and hard for six years, but he always had a positive attitude, aided hugely by the love of his life, his wife Iliana. He faced his death courageously, and set a superlative example for all of us to follow.
There will be small memorial family gatherings in lieu of a funeral. Bill loved volcanoes. He wanted to be thrown into one upon his death. It was too difficult to arrange, but please – think of him whenever you see one.
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Art and Cheryl Farquharson
I’ve known Bill for over 50 years. He taught me my first guitar chords. He made me the godfather of his first child, Talei. I saw him less than a week before his passing. He was still lucid and joked about my haircut. Ironically, the first song he taught me was “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Well as another song famously opines “A working stiff like you has seen his share of hell below so come to glory in your overalls.” (Malvina Reynolds). Bless you Iliana for caring for our Bill so lovingly and faithfully in his final years. Love to all the Epps from Cheryl and me.
Sandra Reyes
Bless you Lliana my condolences to you and the family ,I know you loved Bill with all your heart.Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him.Carlos and I want you to know we are thinking of you my friend.
Gaby
I met Bill when Iliana introduced me to her Canadian friend. The next time they invited me to dinner, Bill told me he wanted to share with me that he wanted a serious relationship with my sister (like it used to be, Bill said). We clicked from the start, and after a while, he became more than just a friend; he was like a big brother to me. We shared good times and went through many not-so-good situations. He invited me to Canada to see the other side of the country. And I had the honor of being with him as his sister during his last days on this earth. He was the strongest man I’ve ever known, with a great sense of humor until the very end, always encouraging Iliana and me to be better sisters. Thank you for everything, Billy Jr. You will always be in my heart…
the Capels
I think Bill found his best life in his final chapters, with his beautiful wife Illiana by his side. He made a new break and a new home out in BC with Iliana, and with his devoted son Shane close by. He always had unconditional love and support for his family. My condolences to the entire Epp family. Bill was a one- of- a- kind guy, with more aliases than I can remember. RIP Bonello.
with sympathy, from the Capels
Merrilee (Mimi) Nowell
I knew Bill my entire life and we spent many hours playing in his yard. We always saw the Epp family on Boxing Day when we lived in Canada. I am glad that I kept up with him through the years on FaceBook, and we often talked about our Turtleford mothers and the fact that the Turtleford water must have given them longevity. They were a great pair! The world will miss him, as will I. Condolences to Talei & Shayne and Chris & Steve. I know Ili made his final years happy so my heart goes out to her as well.
John Levings
RIP Bill. We had some great times in the jungles of Fiji and Indonesia. I will never forget the time we first met at Wainaleka camp. Indiana Jones is an apt analogy. You were a good mate.
Cina family
Bill was one of a kind. We taught together, but mostly we laughed and talked stocks. He had a knack for picking winners. Bill remained a friend when he retired, and he will be missed greatly. Thanks for the memories Bill.
Tim Haley
I worked with Bill at Valley Park Middle School in Toronto. Bill always had a smile, a story, and lived life large. Rest in peace Bill. I am sure you already have them above (and likely below too) laughing.
Steve Knight
Sharon and I got to know Bill through the renting of their condo in Ixtapa, Mexico and it very quickly became more than just a rental agreement and became a friendship with both Bill and Iliana.
Bill is a kind, caring and courageous man who fought his battle with cancer in such a positive outlook and I admired his ability to look at the good times he has had in his life.
He loved life and loved his wife( Iliana) even more and I will always remember Bill for his love for life and spending time with family and friends.
Yvonne Versneij
It was a shock that Bill has passed away. Bill was a friend—a good friend. We met in 1972 and stayed in touch ever since. He visited me often, and we also visited each other in Mexico and Curaçao. Iliana was there as well, in both Mexico and the Netherlands.
Bill was loyal and gentle with me, except when I wanted something that was probably not in my best interest. For example, he advised me to retire and to take driving lessons—and I did! He always had my best interests at heart, just as Bill was.
Bill loved his family very much—Iliana, Shayne, and the bros. He also cared deeply about his friends, some of whom had known him for many years. I will miss Bill terribly. No more biweekly updates, no more funny remarks—only the sense of loss.
I wish Iliana, Bill’s family, and his friends strength as they cope with this great change in their lives. I hope, Bill, that a beautiful volcano will be found for you, to bring your life to a grand conclusion.
Dan Taylor
I met Bill when we were teenagers.I consider my self lucky to have been able to be in contact with him through the years. He was always a pleasure to be with. I was fortunate to be able to call him a week before he passed. I will always remember that call…..it was very inspiring. He loved his partner Iliana, and was very thankful for her love and support. He had his affairs in order. And as always, we had a few good laughs. I was inspired by his strength and his sense of humour at such a time. Thank you Iliana for being there for him. He was a good man and I will remember him forever.
Susan Hall
I knew Bill for many years and mostly through visits to what we called “ Hotel Capel”. After Wild Bill’s return from Bornio to join civilization and The Toronto School Board he frequented the Capel household for after work libations, Band night, and always lively discussion about stocks, minerals and precious commodities.
A warm heart, a risk taker, deep thinker and an intelligent human.
I’m happy our paths crossed in Ontario and B.C. I know that Bill loved with intensity and passion Iliana, his children Mom and Dad and Epic Epp brothers.
Chris’ description of Bill is spot on. Thinking of you all and the complicated feelings of loss. You are in my heart.
It was great to know you Billy! Sue
Cliff Halliwell
So sorry to hear this. It was long ago (mid 1960s) that we last spent any time together, but he was always fun. I remember a camping trip north of Toronto with his Dad (Al), my Dad (Harry) and Bill and me. Bill and I found a nearby abandoned brick factory, and I remember our inability to resist throwing old bricks through old windows and at old toilets, while our Dads were shooting the breeze back at the campground and…maybe…having a Scotch or two. Only a few occasions in life when you get to indulge the (likely male only) ‘break stuff’ gene with wild abandon, best done when very young.
Condolences to his family