HUGH BILL

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HUGH BILL April 18, 1916 - September 5, 2005 Hugh slipped away gently on September 5, 2005 at the Russell and District personal care home. Born in Belfast, Ireland, Hugh immigrated to Canada in the fall of 1921, with his mother, Elizabeth Jean (nee McCullough) and two siblings, sister Jean, and brother Thomas, to join his father, Rev. William Bill in Winnipeg. Sisters Kathleen and Pat and brother Bill were born in Canada. Hugh grew up in southern Manitoba where his father served in Winnipeg, Treherne, Pilot Mound, and Newdale. Here his life long love of farming, steam engines, nature, curling, fishing and duck hunting was nurtured. He graduated from United College in Winnipeg with his Bachelor of Arts in 1939, and certificate of Theology in 1942, becoming a college featherweight boxing champion along the way. Upon graduation, he served mining communities like Pickle Lake, ON, and Kapuskasing. He married Olga Rosalie Schenkers from Winnipeg in 1946, and they were blessed with one daughter Judith Rosalie in 1949. In their ministry, they served the communities of Waskada and Darlingford before Hugh became a padre in the armed forces in 1961, with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. In this capacity they were stationed at Currie P Park in Calgary, The Suffield Experimental Station in Ralston, AB., Base Southport in Portage La Prairie, radar bases Lac St Denis, and La Macaza in Quebec, and base Winnipeg, until his retirement in 1971. After retirement, Hugh served the communities of Clandeboye, and Winnipeg Beach as a part-time replacement minister for several years. Rosalie and Hugh lived in Winnipeg on Berry St, until his retirement from the United Church in 1980. Health concerns moved them to Inglis and Russell in 1996, close to Judy and her family. They rejoiced in the marriage of their daughter to Ernie Bauereiss in 1984, and revelled in the birth and life of their 2 grandsons, Jared and Lorne. They spent many happy visits at the Inglis farm, and were always thrilled when the family visited them in Winnipeg. Hugh is predeceased by infant brother, Tom, in 1920, father William in 1951, his mother in 1966, sister, Jean in 1971, brother Bill in the 1984, and beloved wife, Rosalie in 1996. He is survived by daughter Judy (Ernie), 2 grandsons, Jared and Lorne, sister Kaye (Lee) of McAuley, sister Pat (Behm) of Salmon Arm, B., his cousin Desmond Bill (Eveline) of Toronto, two brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law and their families, numerous nieces and nephews, and friends. Hugh was a devoted and loving husband and father, a faithful United Church minister, a kind and gentle soul with a great compassion, sensitivity, and tolerance for his fellow human beings. Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Interment occurred at Bethany South Cemetery, Inglis.. A special thank you to all of the staff of the Russell and District Personal Care Home for their excellent care of dad in his later years, Pastors Michael Diegel and the Reverend Dwight Rutherford, Anna-Marie Skogrude, the Knox United visitation programme, and Braendle-Bruce Funeral Service for their parts in the celebration of the life of Hugh Bill. Friends and family who wish to remember Hugh may make a donation to: The Faculty of Theology, U. of W, 515 Portage Ave, WPG, R3B 2E9; or Mission and Service Fund, United Church of Canada, 3250 Bloor St West, Etobicoke ON, M8X 2Y4

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 14, 2005