William "Willy" J. Chorney

William "Willy" Joe Chorney, of Preevceville, peacefully passed away at the Preeceville and District Health Centre on Thursday, May 30, 2024, with family and friends by his side. He was 82 years of age.

As per Willy's wishes, there will be no funeral service.

Gifts of remembrance can be made to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Transfiguration Cemetery Fund, Preeceville (Box 402, Preeceville, SK S0A 3B0).

William Joe Chorney was born in Preeceville on May 23, 1942 to George and Mary (Palamar) Chorney.

William grew-up in Preeceville and attended Preeceville School until grade 8. Over the years he worked at several different jobs. He started out by working for a few local farmers and doing odd jobs around town. He worked for Borger installing the water works for the town and for Myron Swiderski doing many jobs from driving trucks to pouring basements for houses. William left Preeceville to work on the oil rigs to make his fortune. Rig work was William’s favourite job and he enjoyed the people he worked with. There was always a rig story to be told. When he was done working on the oil rigs he ventured out to Quenel, BC and worked as a skidder operator. After spending a few years in BC a foreman’s job at Leon’s Manufacturing in Yorkton brought him a little closer to home.

When he retired, he helped his brother-in-law with farming. He was a handyman at Chris’s Place doing odd jobs. William loved the outdoors and spent many hours in his garden, which was always very productive. He gave most everything away to whoever was around. He loved to go for trips in the country and take in nature at its best. At times, he would even toss a hook and do some fishing. He claimed he always knew where the good fishing holes were. Mushroom and berry picking brought him enjoyment and he always knew when and where the best places were to find them. He enjoyed many trips to BC and a trip to Florida and the British West Indies with his friends.

William was a pleasant, caring man. He was always ready to help out at whatever had to be done; helping his friends with gardening, doing odd jobs and running errands. He always enjoyed a visit with friends over a cup of coffee. He loved all animals and enjoyed spending time with his cats. William was also an avid reader, reading every history book, newspaper or Market Place he could get his hands on. He loved to talk about his earlier years and had a recollection of events and all the details like it happened yesterday.

He is predeceased by his parents, George and Mary Chorney; sister, Nancy; and brother-in-law, Peter Cherkowski.

William is survived by his brother, Julius; Aunt, Rose Zacharias, and many cousins and friends.