Bill was born 29 September, 1920 in Alberta and gained his education there.  He was engaged in farming until 1942 when he joined the RCAF and qualified as an Air Frame Mechanic (AFM).  During the war, he served at many stations including St. Thomas, Claresholm, Calgary, Vancouver and Regina.  He was discharged in December 1944 and returned to Vancouver.

After a short period with the postal service, in March 1946 he rejoined the RCAF at Sea Island in BC and again served as an AFM.  In 1948, he was re-mustered to the new trade if Airframe Technician (AFTech).  He served at RCAF Station Sea Island until posted to Whitehorse, Yukon in 1951 where he remained until 1954 when he moved to 404 Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) Squadron at Greenwood, NS after attending No. 2 Maritime Operational Training Unit (OTU).  He later moved to RCAF Station Summerside, PEI where he instructed at the OTU before returning to Greenwood in 1958 as an instructor at the Argus Conversion Unit.

In June of 1959, Flight Sergeant Tatarchuk re-mustered to the Flight Engineer trade and was posted to the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CE & PE) at Uplands, ON and crewed on the Argus undergoing the navigation system trials which involved him in the first high arctic flight employing a navigation system using a true north reference.  From 1965, he next served with 436 (Transport) Squadron at Uplands until promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and posted to 435 (Transport) Squadron at Edmonton, AB where he served as the Chief Flight Engineer.  In 1971, he returned to the Argus and the Maritime role serving with 404 “Buffalo” Squadron as the Chief Flight Engineer.  In 1972, he was a member of the crew that won the O’Brien Trophy for the best Canadian Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) crew that travelled to Singapore to challenge the best crews from the RAF, RAAF and RNZAF for the Fincastle Trophy.

Bill, or “Tat” as he was known to his friends, retired in 1973 and returned to Edmonton where he was very active with the air cadets, producing the best squadron in 1979 and generating over 20 air cadet scholarships.  Bill died in December, 1986.

Chief Warrant Officer Tatarchuk’s performance throughout his service, both at war and during peace, on his ground duties and later as a Flight Engineer was of a superior level of professional competence which he combined with outstanding leadership.  Wherever he served, he was recognized as an airman of superior abilities and achievement.  He was truly representative of the outstanding personnel that gave the Canadian Air Force its reputation for excellence.