WILLIAM (BILL) ALBERT MCLELLAN

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WILLIAM (BILL) ALBERT MCLELLAN Bill McLellan passed away peacefully at Kildonan Personal Care Centre on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 after a brief illness. He was born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1915. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 14, 2012 at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, with a reception to follow. 204-586-8044
Publish Date: Sep 11, 2012

WILLIAM (BILL) ALBERT MCLELLAN Bill McLellan passed away peacefully at Kildonan Personal Care Centre on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, after a brief illness. He was born in Winnipeg on February 15, 1915, to William J. and Jessie McLellan. Bill was predeceased by his parents; his wife Betty Ruppenthal; three siblings (Arthur, George, and Audrey Caughlin); and daughter-in-law Linda Rolland. He is survived by his sister Shirley Hourd of Calgary; his sister-in-law Rose Ruppenthal; his son William (Bill), wife Dovell and their children: Scott (Natasha) and great-granddaughter Anna, Michael (Kimberley) and great-grandson Dominic; and his son James (Jim), fiancé Jeanette and his children: Laurie (Rosanne) and great-grandchildren Serena and Colin, Brian and great-grandchildren Josh and Kristen, Dawn (Jay Williams) and great granddaughter Jennifer Kenny. As well, Bill will be greatly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. Bill lived all his working life in Winnipeg: first as a clerk and delivery boy at Picardy's Restaurant in 1935 and then with the C.P.R. as an Apprentice Machinist, Machinist, Draftsman, and Chief Draftsman from 1936 to his retirement in 1976. Bill's interests were varied. As a youth, he collected stamps and had pen pals in numerous countries around the world. During the Second World War and for several years thereafter, Bill and Betty were members of the St. John Ambulance Association. He was deeply involved in the administrative functions of St. John's United Church. Bill joined the Masonic Lodge of Manitoba in November 1966, serving as Worshipful Master of the Northern Light Lodge (#10) in 1975. But his most significant activity was singing Lead in the first SPEBSQSA quartet in Winnipeg, which made its first public appearance in September 1948. This barbershop quartet of C.P.R. employees was called the Ashpit Four and became quite well known. They performed regularly at functions in the Winnipeg area, on local CBC radio, and were heard on one occasion throughout the British Commonwealth on the BBC World Radio Network. Bill also enjoyed traveling and had a special connection to nature and the outdoors, especially birds. Bill and Betty had a log cabin on Long Pine Lake (Ingolf, Ontario) where the family spent every summer from 1944 to 1954 when they bought a car and began travelling and camping throughout Canada and the U.S. Upon Bill's retirement, they moved to a cottage at Falcon Lake where they spent their Golden Years enjoying close friendships, particularly with the Winfal Seniors. Winter months were often spent in Florida, Victoria, or on the Texas Gulf Coast. Bill was definitely a people person who loved getting together with family and friends. He took great delight in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A heartfelt thank you is extended to the staff of Kildonan Personal Care Centre and the residents of the 3rd floor, who enriched the final years of his life. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 14, 2012, at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Bill to the charity of your choice would be a great honour to Bill. Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Peacefully low. 204-586-8044
Publish Date: Sep 1, 2012

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 11, 2012