SILAS JAMES WOODHOUSE

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SILAS JAMES WOODHOUSE February 7, 1942 - October 24, 2005 It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden peaceful passing at home, of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, brother and uncle, Silas James Woodhouse, aged 63, of Fairford, MB. Silas leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 41 years, Rosalie; his children, Rosie (John Stagg) of Dauphin River, Sheryl (Colin Woodford) of Fairford, Murdo Woodhouse (Myra) of Winnipeg, April Woodhouse of Fairford, April Joyce Chartier of Grand Rapids and Emily Belmore of Winnipeg; 15 grandchildren, Kristen, Tharren Stagg, Valene Woodhouse, Morgan, Shayla and Tanisha Woodford, Ashley, Ezekiel James Woodhouse, Dayna McLean, Evan Woodhouse, Merissa, Aleah and Misty-Laine Woodhouse, Raquel and Trent Chartier; his three brothers, Bert Woodhouse (Christine), Archie Woodhouse (Ruth) and Walter Woodhouse of Fairford; his six sisters, Jean (Ron Nobess) of Winnipeg, Rose (Nick Halaburda) of Gypsumville, Beverley (Robert McLean) of Fairford, Sophia (Leonard Stagg) of Dauphin River, Eileen Hunter of Fairford and Judy (Bruce Thurier) of Fairford; his great-aunt Sophia Craig of Winnipeg and her family, Sheldon, Theresa, April, Ken and Guy; his sisters-in-law, Gertie (Ernest Sumner) of Lake St. Martin, Connie (Len Young) of Grand Rapids and Mary Ann (Bryden Anderson) of Thompson; his brother-in-law Arnold Ballantyne of Grand Rapids. Silas was predeceased by his parents, Louis Woodhouse on November 11, 1976 and Ida Woodhouse on April 24, 1990; daughter Karen Linda on December 12, 1969; infant son on January 6, 1965; grandson in June 1998; nephew Kelly Woodhouse on January 1, 2002; and niece Joanne Woodhouse on July 28, 1995. Silas was a devoted family man who worked very hard providing for his family. Over the years, he held many various employment positions such as in construction with Manitoba Hydro and Dominion Bridge, Band Councillor, Welfare Administrator, Band Constable, NADAP Counsellor, Child Care Worker, Group Home Counsellor, Medical Transportation Driver, Owner Operated Taxi business, Fisherman, Recording Artist with a Recording Studio business, and over 39 years in the Gospel Band. During those busy employment years, he was able to travel with his Gospel Band mostly throughout Manitoba, Northern Ontario, Northern Quebec, Saskatchewan and many other places in Canada and the United States. Silas was at first inspired by his dad who was a fiddle player, to start playing guitar when he was only seven years of age. At this early age, he played the rhythm guitar for his dad's fiddle music at community functions. Late at nights when he would doze off, his dad would nudge him with a fiddle bow to wake up and start playing again. Silas was a man that was well conditioned in playing guitar for long hours. For over 30 years in his Gospel Band he has outlived, outplayed and tired out many young fellow musicians that played with him. Silas was a man with a good sense of humour. Humours about himself and his family of which he would call them `the highlights of my life'. One humourous incident that happened was when he forgot his wife in Winnipeg and did not realize it until he was 75 miles away, and how he had managed to be forgiven immediately. Another one was when he forgot the name of one of his sisters while he was introducing her. Silas accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour on January 1, 1967 and he really loved serving Him. He was a very devoted man who got up in the early hours of the morning to pray and weep before the Lord for over an hour before his day started. This was his life which made him so humble. Silas cried when he sang, he cried when he gave a testimony or when he had a revelation to share with people. The anointing of the Holy Spirit would be stirred up in his life while he sang. Boldness would come upon him and he would begin to pick his guitar in such a way that his guitar seemed to become alive. He served the Lord with all his heart, mind, soul and might. Silas was a true servant of the Lord. He was God's anointed! The family and many friends will forever sadly miss him. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Do thy diligence to come shortly to me. II Timothy 4: 6-9 The Pallbearers will be: John Stagg, Colin Woodford, Preston Woodhouse, Ryan Woodhouse, Terry Woodhouse, David Sumner. The Crossbearers will be: Ashley Woodhouse, Kristen Woodhouse. The Honorary Pallbearers will be: All the musicians and singers that played with Silas in his Gospel Band and to all the ministers that travelled with him. A viewing was held on Friday, October 28, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home, 9 Railway Ave., Ashern, MB. The wake service was held on Saturday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Sunday, October 30 at 12:00 p.m. Both services will be held at the Fairford House of Prayer, Fairford, with Rev. Robert R. McLean officiating. Interment to follow at the St. Helen's Cemetery, with Charlie Sanderson officiating. Arrangements Entrusted To: ANDERSON FAMILY FUNERAL HOME Ashern, Manitoba 1-866-293-4951

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 30, 2005