WILLIAM (BILL) ROBERT REID

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WILLIAM (BILL) ROBERT REID August 16, 1919 August 2, 2007 Peacefully, with family at his bedside, Bill passed away at the Deer Lodge Centre on Thursday, August 2, 2007. Bill is survived by Rose, his loving wife of 65 years; son Bill ( Patricia); daughter Leah Paul (Ralph); grandchildren, Jennifer Jeanson (Rob), Shannon Reid (Ben Zettergren), Derek Paul (Marnie), Scott Paul, Bonnie Paul; great-grandchildren, Brianne Jeanson, Alexander Jeanson, Nathan Zettergren, and Rylan Zettergren. Bill is also survived by his brother David (Noreen) of Toronto and sister Margaret Howey of Edmonton and many other relatives across Ontario and Alberta. Bill was born and raised in St. James. He enlisted in the Air Force when war broke out and while on leave in Toronto in September of 1941, he met the love of his life, Rose Reeves. They were married on July 4, 1942 and moved to Winnipeg after Bill left the Air Force in October 1945. Although he spent over 42 years with the C.N.R., his major passion besides Rose, was his union. He held various positions within his local union, C.B.R.T. and O.T.W., and he was elected to his National Union Board in 1964 and served for 12 years. Bill upgraded his education whenever he could and received a scholarship to the United Nations in 1958. He graduated from McGill University Labour College in 1966, and as the top student in his graduating class, he earned a scholarship for a seven week fellowship trip to Europe in 1967. Bill was one of the first graduates of the University of Manitoba three year labour course and then taught numerous labour courses across Canada. Bill was vice-president of the Winnipeg and District Labour Council and was a board member of the Children's Aid Society for 14 years including a two year term as President. Bill also enjoyed politics and worked on numerous Federal and Provincial campaigns. He ran for public office in three elections, for schoolboard, city councillor, and M.L.A. He enjoyed much more success as a campaign manager as the majority of the candidates he worked for were elected. He was also a board member of the Red River Co-op and a founder of the Northwest Health Centre. He worked on the promotion board of the 1967 Pan Am Games. Bill enjoyed curling and in 1948 he was a founding member of the Buffalo Curling Club. He also golfed twice a week and loved watching his Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Jets. Bill and Rose spent most of their summers at their cottage at Winnipeg Beach but still found the time to travel extensively with their family to other destinations.They loved cruises and family vacations to Florida and California. Before Bill retired in May of 1980, they moved to St. Vital. He continued curling and golfing and took special pride in growing tomatoes in his garden. Rose and Bill joined a square-dancing group and became members of the Fort Rouge Legion. Bill was a loving husband, a supportive father, a generous grandfather and a playful great-grandfather who will be missed and never forgotten. Special thanks go to the staff at Deer Lodge 3E for their care and compassion. In addition, thanks go out to the wonderful people from Home Care who assisted Bill when required. A private family service to celebrate Bill's life will be held on August 16, which would have been his 88th birthday. If friends so desire, donations in Bill's memory can be made to the charity of their choice. KILCOLLINS CREMATION SERVICE 782-3541

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 11, 2007