Date of Death: August 14, 2026
At 80 years of age, Rhys died Friday, Aug.14, 2026 at Golden Prairie Home in Indian Head after a full and wonderful life. Rhys was the son of Graham and Mabel Williams and the brother to Sheila Brayford (Melvin) all of whom predeceased him. Rhys was an uncle to Susan Brayford – Richard; Mark Brayford- Jenn (Hannah, Hawkins, Halle, Hayden, Hainsley, Hazel); Chris Arnstead – Derwin (Keith, Neil); Jen Bieber – Gordon (Laura, Russell); as well as three great-great nieces.
Rhys grew up in Indian Head. He graduated from Indian Head High School. Rhys was academically gifted and attended university at McGill, London, Oxford, and Western. Rhys had more masters degrees than one could imagine.
Fortunately, Rhys returned to Canada before any affected British accent completely took hold – but just barely.
Rhys’s love of academia ultimately led him to work as a librarian at the University of Calgary. Rhys chose to reside in Calgary to help his elderly parents who had retired there.
Rhys spent over 20 years working at the University of Calgary Library. He was appreciated for his ability to teach even the most challenged student the basics in research. Students began asking for him by name – there was always a lineup to ask him last-minute questions before projects were due.
Rhys was also a talented musician. He both taught piano and was the organist at various churches throughout his lifetime. Susan Brayford, his niece, was one of his first piano pupils and found him to be a gifted, but demanding teacher (unfortunately for Susan, she was neither a talented nor gifted musician).
After Rhys was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he retired from the University of Calgary and returned home to Indian Head. In no time at all, it was like Rhys had never left. He renewed all of his old acquaintances and quickly became friends with literally all the new residents that had moved to Indian Head in his absence.
Rhys was very much a people person, he talked to everyone and stayed very active in the community. He took a genuine interest in all those that he conversed with. Rhys could remember dates and events in friends’ lives that even they struggled to remember. His amazing memory and interest in his friends never wavered despite the advancement of Parkinson’s.
Rhys was definitely no cook, and you could find him at the Esso most nights eating supper and chatting with friends.
If you wanted to know what was what in Indian Head, Rhys knew everything and everybody.
Rhys was very attached to his dogs, first Flo, and then Sheba. Once dog walking became difficult for Rhys because of Parkinson’s, his longtime friend Kim Holzapfel took over the dog walking. As his mobility waned, Kim visited Rhys on a regular basis and helped him navigate life when he could no longer do so many things. Kim was a true friend to Rhys and the Brayford family will always be grateful for the time that Kim and his spouse Barb spent with Rhys.
When Rhys no longer had the ability to live independently, he moved to the Golden Prairie Home. Although Rhys became wheelchair bound, he remained mentally sharp throughout his life. He treasured conversations with visitors and staff.
Sometimes when a person’s physical abilities deteriorate, people wrongly start talking to them as though their intellect has been impaired. The staff at Golden Prairie were wonderful as they always conversed with Rhys in keeping with the intellectual that he continued to be. The individualized attention he received was more appreciated than the staff will ever know.
Although losing a friend is always sad, Rhys’s friends who read this should be happy knowing that Rhys fully appreciated that his body was worn out, and that it was time to move on. He accepted that he was appropriately at the end of his full and happy life. It was his satisfaction and happiness in the life he had enjoyed that caused him to instruct that he did not want the sadness of a funeral.
It is Rhys’s wish that as you go about your day, possibly reminiscing about his passing, that you have the same happy memories he had as you are blessed to live in this great community that he was born into, and chose to return to Family and friends are invited to leave tributes at www.reginafuneralhome.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Regina Funeral Home and Cemetery (306) 789-8850.
