Bulkley Valley pioneer, William Billeter (Bill), passed away on Dec. 5, 1984 at the age of 89. He was born in Portland, Oregon, on Mar. 16, 1895. He left home around 1910 (at the approximate age of fifteen) to begin an adventurous life. Bill met his wife Flo in Butte, Montana, where he worked in a copper mine. It was then that they decided to travel to Canada in search of cheap land. In the area of Stettler, Alberta, he met the Frank Gilbert Family. The Frank Gilbert Family was contemplating settlement in the Bulkley Valley. So, through the Gilberts, the Billeter family travelled to the Bulkley Valley in the spring of 1920; they bought land in the Driftwood area (three miles from Smithers). After four years in Driftwood, Bill and Flo spent three years in San Diego and then returned to the Bulkley Valley. Bill became a milk producer with a daily milk route in town; he also shipped his products to the Valentin Dairy in Prince Rupert. In 1954, Bill sold the farm and moved into town. He took a job maintaining the Federal Post Office and Police Station Building. He continued these activities until 1970. He also constructed two houses in Smithers. One was located on Second Ave. and the other was on the hillside overlooking the valley and farm. His gardens and lawns were beautiful and truly a landmark. In his words "both Flo and I loved that place". Flo passed away in Nov. 1974 at the age of 82. Bill stayed at the hillside home growing flowers to his hearts content. In Oct, 1980, the garden became too much for his health; he subsequently sold the home and moved into a downtown apartment. Bill was active in the building of Pioneer Place and also the Glenwwod Community Hall. Bill attended the Dairyland Plant Opening and was featured on the program "Skeena Journal".