William "Willie" Prescesky

It is with great sadness the family of William “Willie” Prescesky announce his passing on March 15, 2021. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 19, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. from the Ukrainian Catholic Church of All Saints, 902 – 108th Street, North Battleford, SK. Interment will take place at Richard Cemetery, SK. Donations in William’s memory can be made to Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, Box 1358, North Battleford, SK  S9A 3L8 or to Ukrainian Catholic Church of All Saints, 902 – 108th Street, North Battleford, SK  S9A 2A8. Arrangements are entrusted to Robert MacKay of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium (306-446-4200).

EULOGY: William Edward Prescesky, born June 13, 1938 In North Battleford to Mike and Marinka (Mandzuk) Prescesky they had been married November 5, 1931 and he would be their only child. William’s other siblings were Ann, Natalie, Mary, Jean and Victor. William went to Waive Bank school grade 1-9. Grades 10 and 11 he went to Convent of the Child Jesus in North Battleford. William started playing music when in grade one when his dad bought him and brother Victor an accordion. They would play in the local schools Waive Bank, Lilac, Ruddell and Denholm. Victor playing a fiddle and William the accordion. In the 50’s with Bill Buttery and Bill Thrower they formed a band called The Ruddell Revelers. With Victor playing the Sax and William the accordion, they played for weddings and anniversaries. Living in North Battleford in the 50’s William did different odd jobs like delivering mail and working for a plumbing and heating store. He spent a lot of time hanging out at the pool halls becoming a very good player and would make money hustling other players while going between the different pool halls. He always had a nice car to drive and usually a convertible. In 1956 he started farming with his dad on the farm south of Richard where he would live for 60 years. On October 7, 1961 he married Alice Woytowich from the Whitkow area. Together they had Debbie March 9, 1963, Murray July 21, 1965 and Sharon January 20, 1967. Alice passed away February 14, 1972. On October 29, 1972 while working out in a field William’s coverall got tangled in a PTO shaft, pulling him in and twisting his arm. Luckily it killed the tractor and good friend and neighbor David Johnston noticed the tractor had stayed in the same spot for hours and went to investigate. The kids were taken care of by relatives while William spent till March in Saskatoon hospital where he met Helen Pauls from Maymont. They were married November 3, 1973. Bringing Steven (born May 22, 1966) into Williams family. William would have many ventures in life from operating a herd of couple hundred head of cattle, buying and setting up a grain dryer in his yard and at the Richard elevator. A fairly successful Amway business, maintaining level of Direct Distributor for several years. A number of fishing boats, a cabin at Redberry Lake. Many trips like British Columbia, Florida, Hawaii and Mexico. He loved Puerto Vallarta and his dream was one more visit, that didn’t happen. William was very involved in the community being on the Richard Rec Board for many years. He put the ice in the curling rink for many years and a pig would be painted on the hog line, that was his trade mark. He also was very involved in the addition on the Richard Hall. In 1974 he formed the band Country Roads with Peter Gayowski , Howard Bulmer, Bill Kirkland and Robert Allen. The band had many different members and folded in 1989. William then formed a band called the Wanderers and was together for 3 ½ years. Then went on to form the band William and the Shadows. Present members Elizabeth Hostra, Dale Paulow, Gerald Daviduke, and Leroy Manske. In 2016 this group cut a CD with 12 songs on it. Over the years he owned many accordions something like 10. His last one costing around $20,000. On December 29, 1993 Galyn would be born, completing his family. Helen passed away May 26, 2001. He always had the knack of finding amazing people to spend and share his life with and June 12, 2004 married Marguerite Kruger from Saskatoon. September 22, 2006 daughter Debbie passed away. William has 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter Teagan born 2020. Together William and Marguerite would enjoy camping and fishing at Meeting Lake, trips to Puerto Vallarta and going to dances when he was not playing in his band. Some of Williams favorite things were a good Kaiser game. When bidding no trump, the rule was never less than 8 no trump, anybody can make 7 no trump. Volkswagens – loved to talk how many mpg “yup 65 mpg to Calgary on ½ tank of diesel”. Politics was a favorite topic. He really wanted to go to a Trump rally. Another favorite topic was farming, which brand of machinery was the best or worst and crop prices were always too low. Loved a good Ukrainian meal and Hafford ladies made best perogies and cabbage rolls. William love to entertain whether playing in the band saying he made people happy dancing and singing to the band. Or after hours of visiting at his house, several games of Kaiser, some shots of homebrew or tequila or tequila sunrises nobody left hungry, out would come the homemade sausages. Good thing he didn’t have to pay royalties to John Denver for his playing of the song Country Roads. I’m sure no one has played it more than dads bands since 1974. For years every dance ended with the song Country Roads and William introducing his band members and saying “goodnight and don’t forget for every mile of road there is two miles of ditch, drive safe.” March 15, 2021 at the age of 82 William, after a short battle with cancer, left us to be re-united with many family and friends in Heaven. Heaven is a rocking now with his accordion music 24-7 for everyone to enjoy. William is survived by wife, Marguerite Prescesky; daughters: Galyn MacDonald (Darrien) - Amelia, Sharon Sankey (Brian) - Jordan & Jesse; sons: Steven Prescesky (Rhonda) - Darley, Shelby & Teagan, Jarett & Sarah, Tristin & Bailey; Murray Prescesky (Melanie) - Jaxsen, McKynlee, Keyten, Slater, Landre; son-in-law Cary Mahlim; sister, Mary Pidwerbeski; sister-in-law Maria Prescesky; nieces & nephews. Predeceased by wives, Alice Prescesky & Helen Prescesky; parents: Mike & Marinka Prescesky; daughter, Debbie Prescesky; siblings: Victor Prescesky, Anne Lukowich, Natalie Kowalsky, Jean Sadowsky and their spouses; nieces & nephews.

To access the live streamed/recorded service please click on the link at the bottom of this page.