Sir Knight William (Bill) Jankola, Simon Fraser District Master
Sir Knight William (Bill) Jankola joined the Knights of Columbus in 1980 with the Father Finnigan Council #5304 in Castlegar, BC. Within the Council he has held numerous offices including Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Treasurer, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Chancellor, Trustee and Advocate. Bill served on the State Council as a District Deputy for District 12 for 7 years and as the State Family Life Director for 2 years. Together with his wife Barbara and family, they were awarded the State Family of the Year in 1990. Bill remains a member of the Council’s Admission Degree Team and the District’s Formation Degree Team.
In 1982, Bill joined the Patriotic Degree as a member of the Father John Althoff Assembly #0031 which serves the councils in Trail, Castlegar and Grand Forks. Within the Assembly he has held numerous offices including the Faithful Navigator, Faithful Admiral, Faithful Captain and has been a member of the Assembly Colour Guard since 1982. In September 1984, Bill participated in the Colour Guard at the Abbotsford Airport for the Papal Visit of Pope John Paul II. In 1987, he was recognized with the District Faithful Navigator’s Award.
Bill was a very active member of St. Rita’s Parish in Castlegar until 2017 serving on the Parish Council, Liturgy Committee and as the Parish RCIA director. In addition to these positions, Bill was both Lecturer and Eucharistic Minister. On retirement in 2017 Bill and Barbara moved their activities to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Nakusp. Here, Bill is an Altar Server, Lecturer and Eucharistic minister. Bill was a member of the Parish Council, but now assists the Parish Priest by looking after the Parish Finances.