WILLIAM (BILL) TRUSON YEE

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WILLIAM (BILL) TRUSON YEE It is with great sadness that the family of William Yee share the news of his unexpected passing on May 20, 2009 at Victoria Hospital following a brief stay. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mabel, whom he sorely missed every day for the past nine years; his father Kum King Yee, his mother Kate Sudomlak and his step-father Nick Sudomlak. He leaves to mourn his passing, daughters: Susan (Ron Wickler), Sheila (Greg Sidebottom) and Shawne (Kelly McNeill); sister Jeannie (Chris Marmont); grandchildren, Evan, Cassidy, Kiley; nieces, Michelle (Lawrence Yee) and Lindsey Marmont; also many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews who cared for him and visited him often. Bill was born August 4, 1930 in the Roblin area where he spent his pre-school years on the farm immersed in the rural Ukrainian culture and learning both the Chinese and Ukrainian languages. After moving to the North end of Winnipeg, Bill attended Dufferin, Hugh John McDonald and Daniel McIntyre schools. He proceeded to study auto repair and refinishing at technical college. Upon completion of his certification at the top of his class, Bill and his father went to China and lived there for three years. Bill met and married Mabel in Canton and returned to Winnipeg to start a family and their new life together. He found employment at a number of shops including a small shop in Morris, MB to which he commuted each day, Piggot Motors, Bass Motors, Boyd Autobody, Wiley Mercury, and Kenworth trucks. He worked at Holiday Chev-Olds as the body shop manager and finished his career as the owner of Bibeau Autobody in Transcona. Bill was a true entrepreneur. He tried his hand at an assortment of ventures including used auto sales, cattle ranching, the sale of items such as eyeglasses, tools, hand washing chemicals, Waxoyl undercoating, and window glass, and the restaurant business. Bill valued above all his role as a father and loved his family dearly. He and Mabel provided comfortable and happy homes near Chinatown, in St. James and then Charleswood; and successfully raised three daughters. He was pleased with their accomplishments and took great pride in sharing news of them with his friends. Bill's leisure time was spent perfecting his marksmanship skills, pursuing his interests in military memorabilia, meeting his friends on the range and attending gun shows. When younger, Bill enjoyed hunting and scuba-diving. He developed many lifelong friendships through all these interests as well as through work. Bill was a generous man who loved to discuss and debate. He really missed his coffee group at the Courts of St. James and treasured the visits of his friends to his apartment in the last few years. The family would like to thank the staff at Grace, Deer Lodge, Riverview and Victoria Hospitals for their care at various times in the last three years. Also special thanks to the staff at the Easy Street program and Home Care who were so encouraging and supportive of Bill following his stroke. Viewing for family and friends at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2009 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, followed by a funeral service to begin at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Bev Ward will be officiating with interment to follow. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, a donation in Bill's memory may be made to the Easy Street Program at Misericordia Hospital for the purchase of a power chair or to the SMD Wheelchair Program, 1111 Winnipeg Ave. Winnipeg, MB. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 26, 2009