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WILLIAM BELL WILSON Obituary pic

WILLIAM BELL WILSON

Date of Passing: Mar 11, 2013

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WILLIAM BELL WILSON Peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2013, at Pine Falls Hospital, William Bell Wilson, aged 91 years of Victoria Beach. He will be sadly missed by his four children, Laurie, Bill Jr., Bob (Diana), David (Loretta), five grandchildren Hayden, Richelle, Jacob, Samarie and Noah, and ex-wife Fern Watson, all of whom loved spending time at Victoria Beach. He was also loved and supported by Christel and Siegfried Kraft and family who became his second family, in Victoria Beach. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Ann and Margaret. Their children, Susan, Kim and Nancy (nee Robinson), and Bill, Brian, Sandra and Alan (nee Whincup) will also miss their Uncle Bill. William Bell Wilson was born in Regina on August 22, 1921, not long after his parents immigrated from Scotland. He was very shy but became a keen student and basketball player. He decided to follow in his father's footsteps and apprenticed to a plumber in 1940. Then the war intervened and he spent some memorable years and made lasting friendships on the minesweeper the HMCS Blairmore in the navy during the Second World War. The Canadian government paid university tuition for returning servicemen after the war, and Bill attended the University of Manitoba, graduating from the school of Architecture in May 1950. In October 1950 he started work as an architect at Moody Moore and Partners in Winnipeg, where he stayed until his retirement in 1986, contributing to many of Winnipeg's modern buildings including the Health Sciences Centre and the National Research Council building. Shortly after his retirement, he moved permanently to the family cottage at Victoria Beach and has been active there for almost 30 years golfing, reading, cycling, and becoming very involved in the Senior Scene as the editor of the newsletter, a creative writer, an avid line dancer and carpet bowler. Bill thoroughly embraced life and enjoyed living simply. He was kind, generous, gentle, smart, funny, enthusiastic and loved by everyone who met him. His Facebook post from two weeks ago said Life is great! He passed away quietly on March 11, 2013. A memorial service celebrating Bill's life will be held at the Senior Scene, 3 Ateah Rd., Victoria Beach at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Victoria Beach Senior Scene would be appreciated. Bill's children can be contacted until March 22 at wbw.beach@gmail.com. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com
Publish Date: Mar 15, 2013

WILLIAM BELL WILSON Peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2013, at Pine Falls Hospital, William Bell Wilson, aged 91 years of Victoria Beach. A memorial service celebrating Bill's life will be held at the Senior Scene, 3 Ateah Rd., Victoria Beach at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Victoria Beach Senior Scene would be appreciated. Bill's children can be contacted until March 22 at wbw.beach@gmail.com. Full obituary to follow in Friday's paper. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.
Publish Date: Mar 14, 2013

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 15, 2013

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

  • You were the Sonny to my Cher. I always admired your enthusiasm and energy. You will be missed, Bill. Gina Roth - Posted by: Gina Roth (Friend) on: Mar 20, 2013

  • Line dancing will not be the same without Bill. His spirit was indominable, making it to line dancing so soon after a broken leg!! A tireless worker for the Senior scene, he made the word "senior" come alive. He will be truly missed. - Posted by: Doreen Langdon (Line Dance friend) on: Mar 17, 2013

  • I would like to share my thoughts about Bill. After meeting Bill a few years ago when we first became members at the Senior Scene I quickly realized that this is a man with a big heart. Not only did he always have a smile on his face, but he never hesitated to give you a big hug. He was warm and kind, always ready to be a part of whatever was happening. He enjoyed life to it's fullest. Bill was an inspiration to us junior seniors at the club. His soft and gentle manner was very calming and yet his zest for life was felt by all. He will be remembered fondly,and sadly missed. We feel very blessed to have known him. - Posted by: Dianne and Ernie Georgakopoulos (Friends at the Senior Scene in Victoria Beach) on: Mar 16, 2013

  • We just want to excpress our condolences to the family. Bill was a good friend and a good line-dancer. We will miss him. - Posted by: Bill Kehrer and Shirley Gaudry (Friends) on: Mar 16, 2013

  • Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was always a delight to meet and talk with and we will miss him. A great, warm and gentle man who gave of his talent freely. Victoria Beach will not be the same without him. Our sympathy to the family. Love, Anne & Gord Gooding - Posted by: Gordon Gooding (Friends) on: Mar 15, 2013

  • How lucky we all are to have had Bill in our lives! He had a wealth of knowledge and was always willing to share it quietly with those who wanted to listen. We will miss his smiling face at Carpet Bowling and Line Dancing at the Senior Scene...and Bill, we promise to keep our lines straight! Rest peacefully my friend! Your Line Dancing Buddy, Judy - Posted by: Judy Bagnall (Friend) on: Mar 15, 2013

  • Bill, we will miss you so much. Your gentle, kind and peaceful nature was something so very special, and you lived your life thinking mostly of others; your children, your grandchildren, your special friends and the amazing number of folks you touched along the way. I was blessed to spend so many summers chumming around with 'The Wilsons'. Most of the time was spent laughing and playing, but a lot of learning also went on, especially from you as the teacher. From learning the words to Buffalo Gals with their knees a'knocking, to many wonderous things about the outdoors, there was never a dull moment. I could share many things, but one of the most important thing you taught me was a life skill that every young child should know. And that was how to play poker. I'm not talking about Texas Hold'em like they play today; I'm talking about real poker. I think you taught us all to play when our feet couldn't even touch the ground from our chairs; David must have been all of 4 years old! You taught us to call the games; Spit in the Ocean, 5 card stud, 7 card stud, Jacks or Better, Blind hand. You taught us to bet, to call, to bluff, to enjoy a good game of cards and good friends along the way. Thanks Bill for the great childhood and memories in the last few years! Victoria Beach will miss you terribly and so will I. Kathleen - Posted by: Kathleen Captain (Boyd) (Friend) on: Mar 14, 2013

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