William (Bill) Dau was born June 30, 1946, in Trochu, AB, to Ray and Margaret Dau. Bill was the second of four children and grew up on a farm east of Three Hills, AB. After graduating from Three Hills School, he completed studies in Ag Business at Olds College in 1966, and Ag Mechanics at SAIT in 1968.

While in college, Bill met Patsy Charlton and the two were married in 1970. They had two sons, who they raised on their farm south of Three Hills.

Farming was Bill’s life. He said he cut his teeth driving a tractor. The little Ford 9N was his first challenge. He learned quickly how to make it go, but to stop it, a chicken house was needed.

Even though Bill mainly farmed grains, peas, and canola, he loved watching cattle graze in the coulees around his home, although he liked them a lot less during late-winter calving season at –25°C.

A quiet man by nature, Bill was nonetheless a regular anywhere there was good coffee and an opportunity to swap farming stories. His stories had a way of growing a little each time he told them, and he was especially good at giving animals voices and big personalities, so even the cattle, the barn cats, and the dogs could end up as characters in the tale.

Like many farmers, Bill never fully retired but instead leveraged his farm seniority to get out of any job he no longer cared to do. He loved the quiet times on his sprayer, swathing canola, driving combine, or heavy harrowing. He was active on the farm until his passing, logging 25,000 cumulative acres of fieldwork across various pieces of equipment last season.

Outside of farming, Bill enjoyed woodworking, golfing, travelling, and cheering for the Flames. He was a well-known cardshark and enjoyed regularly beating his friends at Rummy. He loved the Lord, his wife of nearly 56 years, his sons and their wives, and his six grandkids.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; his son, Ron (Michele) and their children, Haley, Kiana, Julia and Ava; his son, Dallas (Lisa) and their children, Anna and Luke; his siblings, Allan (Jane), and Joanne (Murray); his sisters-in-law, Susan Dau, Louise Alberts, Donna (Bud) Reed, and Linda (John) Descoteau; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, and brother, Bob.

Memorial Services will be held at Mount Olive Evangelical Free Church, Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow at Mount Olive Evangelical Free Church.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Dau's service streamed live HERE on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view the live service, a recording will be posted.

If family and friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity your choice.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Bill's family here.