Bill Potts
1885 – 1963

Bill guided and packed ifor Guides and Outfitters in Banff
He ranched with brothers at Morelyville
Bill partnered with Frank Ricks in 1902
They bought the Alberta Hotel in Banff
William John Potts enlisted Feb. 1915 With 12th. Canadian Mounted Rifles
Canadian Expeditionary Forces. (C.E.F.) W.W.I. – Reg # 117044
Served in France during World War I.
Taken Prisoner of War at Dulmen, Germany in June 1916.
Repatriated Nov. 1918.
Demobilized Feb. 1919 as Corporal.
Bill Potts joined the Banff Park Warden Service
He was Chief Warden at Banff for 17 years
Bill was Past President of Royal Canadian Legion – Banff
He was a member of Masonic Lodge at Banff

William Potts – Field of Honour – Burnsland Cemetery – Calgary

Young Trail guides in Banff
L-R Soapy Smith, George Harrison, Bill Potts

Bill Potts at Whiteman Pass

Park Wardens at Banff – 1938 (Stan Peyto photo)
L- R – Bert Davies, Jim Raby Sr., Cliff Murphy, Walter Childs, Ulysses LaCasse, Cyril Fuller, Bill Potts, Beef Woodworth, Walter Peyto, Jack Naylor, Bill Neish
CPL William John Louis Potts

Bill Potts
1885 – 1963
BIRTH 20 April 1885
Kingston, Frontenac County, Ontario, Canada
DEATH 10 May 1963 (aged 78)
Calgary, Calgary Census Division, Alberta, Canada
BURIAL Burnsland Cemetery
Calgary, Calgary Census Division, Alberta, Canada
PLOT Section T, Block 18, Lot 101
MEMORIAL ID 136657502
WWI Reg. # 117044
Enlisted February 3, 1915 at Calgary, Alberta in the 12th Canadian Mounted Rifles
and served in France
Taken Prisoner of War at Dulmen, Germany in June, 1916.
Repatriated in Nov. 1918
Demobilized Feb, 18, 1919 with Rank of Corporal
Next-of-kin: Mrs. F.T. Wallace, sister, at Morely, Alberta
Department of Veteran Affairs shows that William Potts died at Colonel Belcher
Hospital in Calgary on May 10, 1963.
Son of William James Potts and Emily Smith.
———————————————————————————————————–
Potts, May 10th, 1963, William John, aged 78 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Margaret
Potts, 209A 16th Avenue N.W. He was employed as Chief Warden at Banff National
Parks for seventeen years, coming to Calgary in 1947.
he was a veteran of World War I, and served overseas with the C.E.F.
He was Past President of the Royal Canadian Legion at Banff and a member of the
Masonic Lodge at Banff.
Services at Leyden’s Chapel of Remembrance Monday 3:30 p.m.
Rev. Canon E.N.P. Orme officiating.
Internment, Field of Honor, Burnsland Cemetery.
(From The Calgary Herald, Saturday, May 11, 1963, page 32)
Alberta Death Reg. # 1932-08-005332
Family Connections
by Don Mickle
James Potts came from Scotland to Ontario in 1883. He married Jesse Johnson.
They had six children – 3 boys and 3 girls.
The family came west and settled near Morleyville NWT in 1884.
The Potts family were close friends with Wheeler and Julia Mickle
Bill, Jack and Walter (Watty) ranched with their father.
They raised Shorthorn cattle.
The family eventually homesteaded more land near Jumping Pound.
The eldest Potts daughter Isabelle (Bell) married Frank Ricks.
Frank Ricks was a noted cowboy and bronc rider from California.
Frank Ricks was also a cousin to Jesse and Frank James.
The Ricks and Bill Potts bought the Alberta Hotel in Banff in 1902.
Bill and Watty Potts both worked for Banff National Park.
Bill eventually became Chief Warden of Banff Park.
Watty Potts married Gwen (Tiny) Mickle in 1902.
Gwen was a daughter of Wheeler and Julia Mickle
Gwen’s brother was Charlie Mickle.
Charlie and Della Mickle were my Grandparents.
Wheeler and Julia Mickle were my Great Grandparents
Don Mickle – 2024