Bill Beattie, president and CEO of Beattie Homes, husband and father of two, died in hospital May 17 due to complications while undergoing a second round of chemotherapy for leukemia. He was 56.

He leaves behind his wife, Diane, and two daughters (Jocelyn, 27, and Andrea, 20) from a previous marriage.

The Beattie patriarch, born William Kenneth Beattie, founded Beattie Homes 25 years ago in spite of a recession, and over the years expanded the company within Calgary and then into Edmonton four years ago. In Calgary, Beattie Homes crafts starter to estate homes in and around the city, and multi-family addresses from the $200,000s $1-million.

Brad Cuthbertson, named general manager of Beattie Homes in early May, says it was Bill, himself, who had made him want to work there. “It is from the heart that I say this, the thing that attracted me to Beattie Homes and to align myself with the corporate culture here was really Bill’s humility and his ability to always give people all the time they deserve.”

Cuthbertson says his coming aboard was part of Bill and Diane’s careful planning, noting the Beattie name will have a lasting legacy and be one buyers can continue to trust. Cuthbertson says the company will continue to run as its founder would have wished in both cities.

In addition to his industry successes, Bill was well known for rallying the troops for charity. Earlier this year, Beattie staffers got behind the company helmer to raise $630,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada and the Kids Cancer Care Founda­tion in a Shave Your Lid fundraiser. So beloved in his community, those willing to lop off their locks stretched far beyond the Beattie head office walls, even attracting industry heavy hitters to cut their coiffs the likes of Al Morrison of Morrison Homes and Bill Morgan from Burnco.

Bill and Diane’s history of philanthropy includes an annual golf tourna­ment the Priddis Classic, which has raised more than $2 million for the Calgary Prostate Cancer Foundation. Bill was also an avid supporter of the Willow Park Charity Golf Classic, which helps local charities, including Habitat for Humanity.

Bill will truly be missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.