Wilhelm Gottfried Lohr
WILHELM “BILL” LOHR
October 11, 1940 – December 14, 2025
Wilhelm Godfried Lohr – known as “Bill”, was born on October 11, 1940, in Hamburg, Germany. He was the youngest of three children with two older sisters, Inge and Elsabe. He was baptized the same day he was confirmed in 1955.
After he finished his apprenticeship as a cabinet maker, he moved to Celle, Germany in 1959. After moving to Celle, he was drafted into the army where he drove tanks and transport trucks – it was his way to get out of marching and doing something more meaningful. While in the army he also worked as a medical aide.
After the army he was a volunteer fireman and drove the ambulance, while continuing to hone his skills as a cabinet maker.
He immigrated to Canada in 1966 and arrived in Halifax on July 1 and couldn’t figure out why nobody was working this day. Then he found out it was a holiday! He then took the train to Edmonton and was on his way to see his sister. A puzzle for him was why they took the beer away when he went from one province to the next; at the next province he had to buy more beer. He stayed with his sister Inge and her family.
One of his first purchases was a used car. He worked for Zeidler Forest Products building furniture. He lived a free life for 4 months until Gisela immigrated to Canada. They met at Victoria Composite High School while taking English classes.
Bill and Gisela got married on June 30, 1967, in Edmonton.
In 1969, they purchased a house on the north end of Edmonton and Bill started his own cabinet making business in his garage before renting a shop as business grew.
Jason was born in 1972 at the Royal Alex hospital and he was so perfect, the family was now complete.
Bill and Gisela liked to travel; many times, back to Germany to visit family and friends. Other favourite places to visit were Punta Cana, Jamaica, Hawaii.
In 1980 the family built a cabin at Lac St Anne where they went nearly every weekend year-round for about twenty years.
Bill enjoyed snowmobiling, water skiing, pickleball and socializing at the Senior’s Club in West Edmonton.
At around 65, Bill closed his woodworking shop of about 30 years, after servicing many happy clients in and around Edmonton including the public library, law firms, accountants and many, many other regular clients. Bill then continued crafting back home in the garage as he liked to keep busy and enjoyed very much what he did.
Bill and Gisela moved to Stony Plain on October 12, 2019 where he still had his workbench and many tools setup to maintain his house.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gisela, their son Jason and his granddaughter Petra and grandson Anson; sister Inge in Edmonton and sister Elsabe in Germany and many nieces and nephews in Canada and Germany. He was predeceased by his parents.
Bill will be remembered as a man of skill, integrity, and steady kindness. He took pride in working with his hands, in doing things properly, and in helping others without seeking recognition. Whether building fine cabinetry, maintaining his home, or sharing stories and laughter with friends and family, Bill approached life with quiet dedication and a practical sense of joy. His legacy lives on in the things he built, the memories created around them, and in the family he loved so deeply. We take comfort in knowing that he now rests in God’s care, reunited with those who went before him, and that his love, example, and integrity will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
A service for Wilhelm will be held at the Stony Plain Seniors Centre, 5018 51 Ave, Stony Plain on December 31, 11:00 am.
Wir teilen den schweren Verlust mit dir/euch und sind in Gedanken bei dir/ euch. Wir wünschen dir/euch viel Kraft und teilen unser Mitgefühl.
Bill wird in unserem Herzen weiterleben und werden die schöne Zeit, die wir mit ihm erleben durften nie vergessen.
Unser aufrichtiges Beileid.
Helga, Christine, Thomas, Franziska und Familie
Growing up with Jason, I will always remember Bill as funny, honest, welcoming and kind. He was a man that I very much respected.
My deepest condolences to the Lohr family on the loss of such a good man.
Ein Leben ist vergänglich, doch die Erinnerung bleibt. Der gesamten Trauerfamilie viel Kraft in der Zeit des Schmerzes und der Trauer. Ein strahlendes Licht auf der letzten Reise möge Onkel Bill begleiten. Unser aufrichtiges Mitgefühl. Peter und Anni Upmeier mit Familien.
“Erinnerungen, die unser Herz berühren, gehen niemals verloren .” So wie die Erinnerungen an Bills Besuche bei den Steinen in Hamburg.
Wir sind in Gedanken bei euch und senden euch Kraft und Zuversicht aus dem fernen Deutschland.
Im Namen der Familie
Dagmar
A wonderful twinkle in his eye and the biggest smile!!
My condolences to Gisela, Jason and family. I hope your many happy memories will ease the way for you. He will be missed by many.
Love and hugs to you all.
Ren
Sending my condolences to Gielsa, Jason, Petra and Anson. Bill was a fabulous guy with a heart of gold. 💛
May God give you peace during this difficult time. 🙏🏻
My deepest sympathy to Bill’s family.. Gisela and Jason. Bill has gone in another room where you cannot go yet as this time. You can see a light everywhere Bill has gone, for he left behind wonderful gifts of friendship, caring, genuine interest in the lives of others he knew, and of such hospitality with a keen sense of immaculate cleanliness on his property.
Bill and Gisela lived across the alley from us in Edmonton for many years. He built our new kitchen cupboards, desk and china cabinet in the dinning room. What workmanship!!
Gisela, may our Lord shower you with graces, courage and perseverance you will need as you adjust to living alone, and may He be with you every day as you review the memories Bill and you made throughout those 57 years.
I am praying for the repose of his soul.
a former neighbour…
Simone Bessette
We send our deepest condolences on the loss of a truly wonderful man — a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished grandfather, and the list goes on. To all who knew him, his warmth, humor, and unique way of speaking left an impression that words alone can’t fully capture. It wasn’t just what he said, but the way he said it — his accent, his timing, and those little catch-phrases — that we’ll always remember and smile about.
Sincerely,
Michael & Roswitha
What a privilege and honor to meet my uncle a couple times in the last few years!
He was so welcoming and kind. I loved his smile and joy!
So grateful to God for uniting me with family!
May Yahweh’s peace envelope you in these days, and His Arms hold and comfort you all.
Love to you all,
Jeralyn