Snow, William Jay, beloved husband of Jessie of Milk River, ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ on February 28, 2009 at the age of 87 years. In the quiet of night Jay received his final call and rode his last trail. Jay was born April 07, 1921 in Lethbridge, Alberta and raised in Raymond until the family moved to Milk River. When WW II was declared Jay immediately enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he trained as a pilot and eventually saw service as an air gunner because of his keen eye and target skills. While based in England, Jay was posted with the Royal Air Force and saw action in bombing missions over Europe for four years including support for both the Dieppe Raid and the Normandy Invasion (D Day). During his last mission the airplane was crippled, barely making it over the White Cliffs of Dover. Jay’s back was broken in the crash and he spent many months recovering in convalescent hospitals after his return to Canada. In 1944 Jay met his beloved wife Jessie who was a driver with the Canadian Red Cross Transport Corp. They were married December 23, 1944 and spent 65 years together ranching on the Bar J 2. Jay was very active in the community. He served as Chairman of the School Board, sat on the County Service Board and then was a County of Warner Councilor for three terms, was a founding member of the Sunshine Branch of the Canadian Legion in Coutts/Milk River; was an active member of the local Lions Club, the Cattleman’s Association, founding co-leader of the Milk River Boy Scouts and Cubs, youth group leader in the United Church (HI-C), served many years as a committee member of the United Church Men’s Conference, was an AG Society member and served on the original Milk River Dam Advisory Committee. Jay was a member of the Milk River Curling Club and the Milk River Bowling League. Besides his loving wife Jessie, Jay is remembered by his children and their families. Peter (Dawn) and their son Douglas (Darlene). Barry (Barbara) and their son Benjamin (Diana) and children, Nathan, Grace, Mackenzie and Michael; Daria (Peter) and Erin (Richard). Scott (deceased), (Gayle) and their children; Crystal, Serenity, Buck, Honey, Angel, Carmel and Rabbie. Susan and her children; Ryan (Tatiana), Shane, Ian (Heather). Jody Low and her children; Sean and his son Gabriel, Rebecca (Jeremy) and Heather. Janel Martinkowski (Kevin deceased) and their children; Heidi; Jennifer (Phil) and their children, Kayla, Aidyn, Evynn. Margaret (Ken) Smith. He is also survived by his sisters Lillian Brittner, and Paula Pittman and sister-in-law Grace Snow, as well as his many extended family and friends. Jay was predeceased by his son Scott, his son-in-law Kevin, his brothers Gerald, Willard and George and his sisters June, May and Melissa. Jay loved nothing better than to share his love of the ranch with his family and friends. Jay welcomed all with an open heart, twinkling eyes, big hugs and great stories. We remember many horse back or truck excursions over the prairies to look at Indian rings, cattle and to study the stars. Jay is loved very much and will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life will be held at ST. PETER’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Main Street, Milk River, AB on Friday, March 6, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. Anyone wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to the Royal Canadian Legion, ‘Poppy Fund’ 324- Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 3L7.