Obituary of William Lorne Gooding

Bill grew up on Airforce Military bases; graduated from Lisger High School in Ottawa. His father sent his marks and application to UBC in Vancouver without his knowledge. To his surprise, an acceptance letter arrived in the mail and his parents waved him goodbye. He worked summer jobs at the YMCA Vancouver and Richmond, and the Jewish Community Centre running a men’s fitness program. He was a lifeguard. He worked at the Canadian Fishing Company packing house, a very smelly job. He worked for Correctional Services Canada as a pre-release counselor and guard in Allouette River, Garibaldi area. He was Out-Trip Director for the YMCA camp Elfinstone, and Program Director for Boys Club of Canada Camp Potlatch.

Bill loved sports and was on the UBC Rowing Team. He trained and played pro-level rugby in England and Wales. In school years, he played football, basketball, and track. During his teaching years he was a very winning coach. Bill taught in several places including Cranbrook at Mount Baker Secondary School, Laurie Middle School and Parkland Middle School. He had a natural ability and put together a very successful team in sports and ministry. He was so very proud of his student athletes and loved to tell their stories. Bill was so proud of his students and proud of his teams he coached, he was the coach for many teams as well as championship teams throughout his coach career. Basketball and rugby were two main sports Bill coached.

Bill’s life was turned upside down when the Lord got a hold of him during Franco Zeffirelli’s TV Drama series, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. It was a God encounter when the room was filled with brilliant light, and he knew he would do nothing else but respond to the call. He became a gifted preacher. That gift was recognized in seminary when he won the Applied Theology Prize. Bill graduated with a M.Div. from Regent College Seminary and shared the gospel at every opportunity such as grocery store line-ups, on the golf course, and wherever people would listen. His eyes were always open for opportunities. Retirement never really happened for him. He travelled to Argentina with a team from Canada in 1991 for his first Spiritual Warfare International Church Gathering, and witnessed firsthand the power of the Holy Spirit manifested in signs, wonders, and miracles. It was a paradigm shift that altered his ministry.

A couple of years ago, at the age of 80, he worked in Nakusp as an Interim Pastor. As Bill’s wife, I always benefited from his theological training. He was a grace preacher and taught me so much. He was plagued by health issues over the years and died in a matter of days from a blood infection.

Bill was predeceased by his parents Gladys and William Gooding, sisters Brenda Brumer and Fern Gooding.

Forever loved, appreciated, and missed by me (Deborah), his sons Darren and Sean, grandson Daxon, granddaughters Teisha Riley and Hope Bethany Bowden, and not to be forgotten his faithful ‘Ollie’ dog with whom he shared his breakfasts and snuggles in his bed. Thanks, Bill, for a life well lived. I know the Lord would have greeted you with, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

A Memorial Service for Bill will take place at Abundant Life Pentecostal Assembly Church in Cranbrook B.C on Saturday May 31, 2025 at 1 pm.

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