WILLIAM JOHN (BILL) WINDEBANK

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WILLIAM JOHN (BILL) WINDEBANK William John (Bill) Windebank, age 64, passed away suddenly at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg on Sunday, September 28, 2008. Bill was born July 10, 1944, in Campbellton, New Brunswick, to the late Marjorie and William (John) Windebank. At about 18 years of age Bill joined the Royal Canadian Navy and worked aboard numerous ships during his three years of service. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bill took on various jobs in construction, landscaping, and bartending and then finally became employed with the City of Calgary in the early seventies as a garbage man, or as he commonly referred to himself a Garboligist . He proudly retired from this position in 1992 at the early age of 48. During his time of employment with the City of Calgary, he also joined CUPE Local 37, and worked as a Shop Steward for several years. Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved nature, and shortly after his retirement moved to the 80 acre piece of land near Fraserwood, MB that he called home for the next 15 years. This is when he really began to enjoy life by spending his days landscaping his property, making walking trails through the trees, creating his much-loved Beer Garden , and experimenting with growing different varieties of trees. Bill also liked playing the banjo and took much pleasure in sitting back and having a couple of cold beverages with friends and family. He was a very casual person who didn't believe in formalities, and always appreciated the simple things in life. In his eyes there was never a need for things to be fancy. He believed in the value of hard work and responsibility, and had a very strong sense of right and wrong. Bill was very Pro-Canadian , and loved to support the local economy in any way he could. He knew his own mind and what he needed to be content, and was happiest in the company of a dog; Red had a special place in his heart. Bill leaves behind his two sons and their wives, Jim and Alice of Stonewall, MB and Kevin and Julie of Penhold, AB; one grandson, Logan, and one other soon to be born grandchild, both of Penhold, AB; one brother Guy (Sandra) Windebank of Victoria, BC, and one sister, Julie Windebank (Paul Clarke) of Pictou, NS. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his special friend, and mother of his sons, Adele Windebank. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Society of Manitobans with Disabilities, or any other charity of your choice. Details of a celebration of Bill's life will follow in the coming weeks. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 04, 2008