MR. WILLIAM ""BILL"" LEHTO of Picture Butte, beloved husband of Mrs. Mary Lehto, passed away on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at the age of 84 years.

Bill was born on his parent's homestead near Barons where he was raised and educated. He then studied welding in Calgary for a brief time. In 1949 he met and married Mary Sauer and they began farming together in the Barrhill District. Bill and Mary lived on the family farm for the next 58 years. During that time Bill worked for several years at the Picture Butte Sugar Factory and drove a school bus in the County 26 School Division for over 20 years. In early 2007 Bill and Mary moved from the farm to Picture Butte. He was a member of the Barons Elks for over 45 years. Bill had a love for music and for over 65 years he enjoyed playing various musical instruments. Along with Mary he formed the Bow River Orchestra and shared his talents with family and the community.

Besides his loving wife Mary, Bill is survived by his children Diane (Russ) Johnson of Moose Jaw; Larry Lehto of Picture Butte; Shirley (Kevin) Petty of Lomond; Brenda (Gary) Cleghorn of Picture Butte; Sandy (Cam) Moore of Moose Jaw; and Wayne Lehto of Picture Butte; 11 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; one sister Mary (Walter) Elliot of Calgary; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Frederick and Lydia Lehto, three brothers Leo, Ralph and Harold and his sister Ruth.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, #207, 542 - 7 Street South, Lethbridge, AB.