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WILLIAM DAVID MCCRACKEN
Born: Sep 21, 1946
Date of Passing: Dec 04, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWILLIAM DAVID MCCRACKEN
Born in Kingston, Ontario, Bill McCracken died peacefully at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario - with family members close by.
Pre-deceased by his parents, Donald and Ruth, he leaves behind his much beloved daughter Treena and grandson Max in Winnipeg. He is survived by his three siblings: Judy, Jon and Nancy, and their respective partners (Bert, Pam and Ken), plus a gang of McCracken cousins - Jock, Sandy, Donald, Scott, Jennifer, Rebecca, Andrew, Phillipe, and Matthew, as well as cousins from the Lawler side of the family - Dan, Lilia and Lisa. Bill will also be missed by various nieces and nephews, extended family members (including aunts Eileen and Louise), and particularly by his good friends Bill and Sylvia Barkman of Kingston.
A lover of the outdoors, Bill's early interest in ornithology led him to become an accomplished taxidermist and a gifted wildlife artist. He was part of the taxidermy team that created the famous buffalo-hunt diorama in the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature. Even in his early teen years, his detailed watercolours were astonishingly mature. In 1982, he was honored to be selected among a group of world-renowned artists in a special art auction that was held in Toronto in support of the World Wildlife Fund. The gala event was attended by various celebrities and dignitaries, including HRH Prince Philip. Bill held a lifelong interest in photography. His creative and technical side also led him to fabricate detailed, wooden scale replicas of the Titanic, the Avro Arrow, and the Lancaster bomber that his dad navigated during the Second World War.
Most of Bill's professional life was spent working as a skilled lithographer for the Jostens yearbook company based in Winnipeg. After retirement, he relocated to London, Ontario to be closer to his parents and siblings.
Cremation has taken place and no formal memorial service is planned. In honor of Bill, on-line memorial donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (or your local food bank) would be appreciated.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2025
Condolences & Memories (5 entries)
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We are so sorry for your loss, and ours as well as we treasured Bill's friendship over the years and especially miss his Saturday phone calls. Bill was very special with so many talents, sad that he is gone. Our heartfelt condolences to the family. William and Sylvia Barkman, Kingston - Posted by: Sylvia & William Barkman (Friend) on: Dec 21, 2025
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I worked with Bill at Josten's shortly after leaving high school in the '70's. I always remember his kindenss to me, my condolences to your family. - Posted by: Barbara Walld (co-worker at Josten's) on: Dec 21, 2025
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I’m so sorry for your loss. What a great man. I grieve my Uncle Bill also. He was like a dad to me in my teen years. My dad’s best friend.(Bert Nilsson) So many amazing memories. He is greatly missed. We talked at least once a month. Rest easy uncle Bill. Love ya pal. - Posted by: Nils F Nilsson (Nephew) on: Dec 20, 2025
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Bill was an extraordinary person. Introspective, intelligent and an amazing wildlife artist, he truly cherished family and friends. It was an honour to know him, to love him and to share many adventures with him. We stayed in touch over the years and it was always a pleasure to hear his voice and the little quips he would send like darts into a conversation, making me and others laugh. - Posted by: Andrea Collins (Ex-wife) on: Dec 20, 2025
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So saddened and surprised to read the news of Bill's passing. He used to call many of his Winnipeg friends biweekly including myself. It was the end of November that we last spoke and no word of him being ill. He always enjoyed hearing about what was going on in my house and my dog Sophia and his big boy, Bengal cat. My sincere condolences to Treena, Max and the rest of his family. Friend Skip - Posted by: Skip (Roberta ) Read (Friend) on: Dec 20, 2025