WILLIAM (BILL) ROBERT ELLIOTT -

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WILLIAM (BILL) ROBERT ELLIOTT 1928 - 2009 On December 8, 2009 our Dad passed away at Extendicare Oakview Place in Winnipeg, surrounded by his loving family at his bedside and across the miles. Surviving Dad is his loving wife of 56 years, Yvonne, son Byron (Tammy) of Calgary, AB, grandchildren Shelby and Spencer, daughter Ellen (Calvin) of Stony Mountain, MB, son Bradley (Michelle) of Selkirk, MB, his sister Joyce Keenan of Oshawa, ON, in-laws Emma Thompson, Elsie Williams and Ron Nadeau, Irene and Ron Rochon, Laura Desjardins all of Ottawa, ON, Wesley Desjardins of Kingston, ON, and many cousins, nieces and nephews in Ontario. Dad was born on March 20, 1928 in Oshawa, ON and was raised in the small town of Brooklin, ON. At the age of 16 Dad left school after completing grade 10 and worked in a machine shop until he turned 18. It was then, on October 1, 1946 when Dad enlisted in the RCAF, and trained as a tradesman plumber. In his early military career Dad served in Whitehorse, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. It was in Ottawa where Dad met our Mom Yvonne, and where they married on April 4, 1953. Military life took our parents to Germany and France and from Canada's east and west coasts and many places in between, with their three children joining them along the way. He also served as a United Nations Peace Keeper in Cairo, Egypt from November 1973 to June 1974. Dad ended his military career after 36 years of service at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer on December 17, 1982. It was then that Dad took up civilian employment again. He completed his high school GED at the age of 55 and worked as a civilian employee for the Department of National Defence until he retired in January 1989 at the age of 60. Dad had few hobbies, enjoying playing cards (solitaire, crib, bridge, and euchre), gardening, and camping. Every summer holiday we would hit the road, camping and visiting our extended families in Ontario. His favourite meal was dessert and his favourite time of day was coffee time at Tim Hortons. The family would like to thank the staff of the Grace Hospital for the care they gave Dad during his many visits and sleepovers over the past few years. We would also like to thank the staff at Extendicare Oakview Place for the care they gave our Dad. A memorial service for Dad will be held at St. Andrew's Woodhaven, 2700 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 2:00 p.m., Reverend Ian Mills officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to The Arthritis Society of Canada or The Canadian Cancer Society. Angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hands of God. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, MB is in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2009