William (Bill) Donald Manners, May 31, 1955 – July 17, 2026

With deep sorrow we mourn the passing of Bill Manners, age 71, at NRGH from complications due to cancer on July 17, 2026. He is predeceased by his father, William Dawson Manners, and his mother Barbara Delores Manners née Webster, and survived by his wife of nearly 25 years, Niki Kudaka, his brother Frank Manners, his sister Sharleen (Phil) Davies and her children and grandchildren, and his half-sister Marianne Shokey. Born May 31, 1955 in Vancouver, Bill and his family moved to Nanaimo in 1971. Bill was a man of many talents and wide-ranging interests who re-invented himself many times through the course of his life. He worked as a cook, repaired office machines, was a professional photographer and became district manager of a national photography company. He even designed roof trusses. But his main love was driving. Over the years he worked as a taxi, limousine, and shuttle driver, and also as a courier all over Vancouver Island and on the lower mainland. Bill had a deep love of Nanaimo and gave much of his time to his community. He assisted in the creation of the Nanaimo and Region Independent Living Resource Centre, and was a volunteer interviewer with the Senior’s Advocate. He was a familiar face at city council meetings, running for council in 2018, and worked tirelessly as director and president of the Dover Community Association for 15 years. One of Bill’s main interests was communications starting with public speaking as he worked his way up to become a president of the Malaspina Toastmasters. Later in life he became a licensed ham radio operator and was active in the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association (NARA) and volunteered with the Coast Emergency Communications Association (CECA). He was a social media content creator since 2000, and was very proud of his Facebook group, “You Know You’re from Nanaimo When.” But his favourite thing was meeting his friends for coffee and good conversation. Bill will be deeply missed and lovingly remember by his family and friends. Special thanks go to the Sea Wolves Men’s Cancer Pack for their support and friendship. At Bill’s request there is to be no service. Donations in his memory may be made to Man Up To Cancer, Canadian Cancer Society or Diabetes Canada.

• Date : 2026-07-17
• Location : Nanaimo, BC