Visiting with Billy Proctor at Echo Bay
30 July 2022 | Echo Bay, BC, Canada
George Stonecliffe
While in the Broughton Islands, we have always stopped at Echo Bay to visit with Billy Proctor. It's an enjoyable walk on a winding trail through a mixed forest from the Echo Bay Marina to Billy's house, museum, and gift shop. Billy is now 88 years old. His mind is still sharp even though he
is having more difficulty getting around. Billy has been a logger and a fisherman on these local islands most of his life. With the help of a local artist friend, he has written and published two books about his life and the local settlers. His homespun sense of humor, and clear historical
perspective have brought island life and its prospects alive. He has recently sold his fishing boat 'Ocean Dawn' to another local. We have a treasured painting of the boat in our Friday Harbor condominium. After conversing with Billy, we returned to our boat knowing he as lived a very full
life.