Tributes

Wilfred “Willy” Bottcher, age 87, passed away on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at his and his wife’s home in Myrtle Beach, SC. Willy was born in Germany on October 31, 1937, to the late Erenst and Ottilie Bottcher. At the age of 10 just as WWII was ending to escape the Russians and the Berlin wall, he fled Germany with his mother and younger brother; his father died shortly after the war started. They walked nine weeks to get to Austria where there were ships waiting to take them to either Canada or to the USA. He witnessed many awful things along the way. Because he was 10 years of age, he was considered an adult and separated from his mother and brother for the trip. The ship they got on took them to Canada. They had no choice in where they went, just chose a ship and went wherever it took them. He met a young man, John, from Romania on the ship and they became life long friends. John was Willy’s best man at he and Elaine’s wedding; John sadly passed away in 2015. Willy was so proud of his new country, he proudly served in the Canadian Navy for 23 years. Capturing the essence of a life that left an indelible mark on the world is challenging in just a few words. Willy was mild mannered, shy and generous to a fault. He was a confirmed bachelor until he met the love of his life, Elaine, when he was 65 years of age. They met at a Denny’s restaurant. The owner of the restaurant asked if they would share a table at lunch time due to the heavy volume of customers. They said “yes” and the chemistry was instant and they went to a movie that night for a first date. The movie was awful, but it was the start of a great love story. Within a year they were married. He worked as a Stationary Engineer, but was retired by the time he met Elaine. Willy was a workaholic and he was always doing projects around the house. He was an animal lover, especially dogs, and he enjoyed spending time with Elaine at their house doing wood working projects together. Willy is survived by the love of his life for 22 years Elaine Bottcher, granddaughter Misty Lee Berry of Houston, Texas, great grandson Mason Lee Berry of Houston, Texas; Willy’s nephew, Vince Bottcher of Phoenix, Arizona and to knowledge, all the rest of Willy’s family preceded him in death. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date with a burial at sea for family only per Willy’s request.

Tributes

Wilfred "Willy" Bottcher

October 31, 1937 - September 4, 2025