Support Bill Whiting During His Stroke Recovery

As many of you know, Bill Whiting was once an incredibly active person in the Okanagan community. From playing on softball teams, refereeing hockey, working in orchards and much more. Today, he needs your help.

On January 22nd, 2025 he suffered a moderate-severe stroke in his apartment in Penticton. Fortunately, when he had his stroke there was an individual with him, but while emergency services were on their way they helped themselves to his valuables and sensitive documents.

The next day Bill’s daughters, Elizabeth and Rachel, were called by the hospital and were informed about his stroke. They immediately dropped everything to head to Kelowna General Hospital to be with their father. Rachel lives the closest and was the first to arrive to Bill’s bedside, and after visiting him in the hospital she got to his home she found it turned completely upside down. His Jeep, wallet, house keys, documents case, cellphone and everything else of value were missing. The police were called but had to speak with Bill in person to verify the claims and confirm this person wasn’t allowed to take his things. It was late and the only thing that could be done was to secure any remaining valuables, so Rachel gathered everything she could and went to a hotel for the night.

Bill’s condition leaves him unable to swallow and has an NG tube which he’s aspirated with and caused a lung infection. He’s not able to move the left side of his body and is restricted to his hospital bed. Bill’s speech is limited and slurred, but he tries his best to make conversation with anyone around him. He was also diagnosed with MRSA, a type of staph infection that’s become resistant to antibiotics, which also makes curing the other infections difficult as well. He has a long road to recovery, but everyday he’s fighting to get better.

On Friday, January 24th, Bill was asked about who was with him and if he knew about anything being taken. He had no knowledge of any of this and confirmed this individual had no right to take anything from his home. Elizabeth and Rachel combed through his apartment and got a better understanding of all the things that were missing. Indigenous artworks, signed Canucks memorabilia, electronics, heated blankets, tools, even food and personal hygiene products were all gone. Sensitive documents like his Social Insurance Number, Birth Certificate, cheques, insurance documents and mail were taken and became an immediately cause for concern. His email, online banking and other accounts were compromised and had to be locked down immediately to protect his finances and identity. His daughters rushed to get a lawyer in to gain Power of Attorney to take care of all these things on Bill’s behalf. They have had to cover many large expenses because the accounts have been frozen for the time being.

The police are working on the case, but as of now there hasn’t been any news. His personal valuables are likely gone, and his stolen identity will take months to resolve. Family and friends hope the suspect is caught and charged so they can’t do this to anyone else. Bill’s focus needs to be on recovery and not how he will afford to live when he can leave the hospital.

Elizabeth and Rachel have done everything they could so far, but they need help. They’re trying to prepare for a future where their Dad might be able to return to his life in which ever manner. Anything will help prepare Bill for the future he will now have. Fundraised money will be used to get any medical equipment that will not be covered under his medical plan, replace items that were stolen and aid the daughters with their travel to him.

Their Dad is the most important person to them. When they got the phone call about the stroke their worlds fell apart and the only thing that mattered was getting to him as fast as they could. We know it’s a very long battle but it’s already so incredibly hard. It’s hard to be hopeful when there are so many setbacks.

They love their dad and no matter the distance, they’ll always be there.