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WILLIAM WERDEN SPAFFORD  Obituary pic

WILLIAM WERDEN SPAFFORD

Born: Jul 11, 1948

Date of Passing: Jun 08, 2013

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WILLIAM WERDEN SPAFFORD After a courageous battle, on Saturday, June 8, 2013 Bill passed away at the Health Sciences Centre MICU, at the age of 64. Bill was born on July 11, 1948 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Werden and Gladys Spafford. He grew up in Swift Current and often visited with his family to enjoy the beautiful city in the heart of the prairies. Bill was an extremely intelligent, vibrant and energetic man with many passions and a kind heart. He was a devoted father, brother, and friend and had a great love for his career, golfing, his Harley and the many family cats. One of his proudest accomplishments was his lengthy career at the Canadian Wheat Board which provided him the opportunity to travel the world and make many lifelong friends. He was employed with the Canadian Wheat Board for over 35 years in the sales and marketing department. Bill's primary role was negotiating sales contracts and he was fortunate to have a career that was also his passion. He worked diligently on behalf of Western Canadian grain farmers and for the values and principles of the Canadian Wheat Board. Our family and friends enjoyed many of his entertaining stories about travelling the world and meeting many different characters. In his retirement, Bill enjoyed spending time at the family cottage at West Hawk Lake. He especially loved to sit on the deck while it rained and watch the world go by. Later in his retirement, he discovered a love for exploring on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He joined the Winnipeg Harley Owners group and made wonderful friends that he travelled with and had many laughs with. Last summer, he had the chance to fulfill a life-long dream to travel on his bike throughout the Maritimes. Bill will be remembered for his ceaseless devotion to his children. He was always there to help his children when they needed him. In an ever-changing world, we will miss his unwavering support. Only a dad with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race, Bringing little of gold or fame, To show how well he has played the game, But glad in his heart that his own rejoice To see him come and to hear his voice. Only a dad with a brood of two, One of ten million men or more, Plodding along in the daily strife, Bearing the whips and the scorns of life. With never a whimper of pain or hate, For the sake of those who at home await. Only a dad, neither rich nor proud, Merely one of the surging crowd Toiling and striving from day to day, Facing whatever may come his way, Silent, whenever the harsh condemn, And bearing it all for the love of them. Only a dad but he gives his all To smooth the way for his children small, Doing, with courage stern and grim, The deeds that his father did for him. This is the line that for him I pen: Only a dad, but the best of men. By: Edgar Guest Bill is survived by his loving children Chrissy and John; and all of the family pets, Rebus, Sophie, Jenny and Billy; as well as his many colleagues and friends from the Canadian Wheat Board, West Hawk Lake, and the Harley Owners Group. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Werden and Gladys Spafford, and his brother John Spafford. Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue with a reception to follow. John and Chrissy would like to express their sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses at Health Sciences Centre MICU. Their kind words and sincere concern brought great comfort to us at a difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 12, 2013

Condolences & Memories (16 entries)

  • Chrissy, my deepest sympathy to you at a difficult time. What a beautiful piece you have written in his memory. - Posted by: Ross Hodgkinson (Friend of Chrissy) on: Jun 18, 2013

  • So long Bill..memories of having our kids out to West Hawk, shaking up the neighbourhood in Tuxedo with your Harley on the driveway and stories of small fires in the garbage can in Sales.. To Chrissy and John may your memories bring you peace. Libby Paterson - Posted by: Elizabeth (Libby) Paterson (Friend) on: Jun 18, 2013

  • Chrissy and John – I am not sure if you guys remember us but your Dad and I have been friends since University. We lived in Winnipeg on Barker Blvd.(around the corner from you for many years). Prior to that, we used to make the trek around the perimeter road in all weather conditions to Transcona. There were many pool games and quite a few beer consumed in those days. Bill enjoyed his time with his friends and would go to great lengths to make sure everyone had a good time. One particular event was one I will never forget. We had a huge blizzard (not unusual for Winnipeg) and the city was shut down for days. When no traffic was moving at all, Bill called me and asked me if I wanted to go to the Jets hockey game that evening. I said there is a road grader stuck in the street in front of my house and that no traffic is moving. He said – “not a problem – I have a friend who has a front end loader and he will dig me out to Roblin Blvd (one of the few streets that was open in Winnipeg that night) and if you can make your way over here we will go to the game”. We went and I think there were 8000 people that made it – most on snowmobiles – they did not have a friend with a front end loader that got talked into clearing the street so we could make a hockey game…. We have lived in BC for the last 25 years and Bill and I talked from time to time when I traveled through Winnipeg. I will miss him a lot – the picture you chose shows his personality in so many ways. God Bless you guys – Pat and Dallas Christiansen - Posted by: Pat & Dallas Christiansen (Friend) on: Jun 16, 2013

  • I was so sad to hear of Bill’s passing. I was privileged to work with Bill at the CWB several times. He was a dedicated worker for the CWB and respected the same in others. I recall one particular long weekend that I spent working at the office trying to come up with some grain quality alternatives that would help satisfy a customer’s needs while Bill was overseas trying to negotiate a sale with the customer. Because of the time difference, Bill would be getting up in the middle of the night to call me at work until we were able to come up with a strategy that was mutually agreeable for both the CWB and the customer. Bill never failed to remind me several times over the years about how much he appreciated the work that I put into helping him to make that sale. - Posted by: Val Sangster (Former Colleage at the CWB) on: Jun 16, 2013

  • I met Bill on his first day at the CWB when he joined a band of young Turks. Over the next few years before my departure from Winnipeg I was warmly accepted as Bill's roommate at 3 different houses, was introduced by him to Black Russians and developed a lifelong envy for his Volvo P1800. Over the years I would see him occasionally and catch up with his going ons including his continued dedication to the CWB. In retirement it seems somehow fitting to me that Harley's became his passion! My sincerest condolences to all his friends and family - Posted by: David Clarke (Colleague) on: Jun 16, 2013

  • Well Bill my friend I will miss you Buddy. It is hard to say goodbye. I hope you will spread the Joy that you shared with all of us in your next life. Step up on that golf tee and blast away my friend. Just keep smiling and jokin with everybody. I was only a part of your life for a couple of years but you made my day. So thanks a bunch Bill and farewell - Posted by: Bill walters (Friend) on: Jun 16, 2013

  • Chrissy, you don't know me but I met your Dad 2 years ago when Ed and I were visiting from Kelowna, B.C. We had a really nice visit with him and we stayed at his house for a few days. At the end of January this year, Ed and I visited with he and his friend in Tucson, AZ. at his home there. We, once again had a lovely visit. The four of us toured the Titan Missile base, Tubac artsy town and had lunch together and over nighted for two nights at your Dad's home as well. What a congenial, lovely man he was. We were shocked to hear that he was ill but now he is out of pain. I am very sad for your loss. Sincerely, Dianne Tucker - Posted by: Dianne Tucker (Ed Letkeman's friend) on: Jun 14, 2013

  • Bill's smile and joking nature will be missed. Deepest sympathy to the family. - Posted by: Evelyn Bidulka Campbell (Friend) on: Jun 14, 2013

  • My deepest condolences to Chrissy and John on the loss of your father - I can say that on my various travels with Bill over the years, he spoke quite lovingly about both of you and I know he will be deeply missed. Sincerely Chris Gillen - Posted by: Chris Gillen (co-worker) on: Jun 14, 2013

  • I'm grateful for the too short time spent with Bill in my life. We enjoyed traveling together and shared many common interests. He has a kind heart and passion for life and family. He enriched my life in countless ways and is sorely missed. The silence without that whistling is palpable... - Posted by: Glenda Bacon (Partner) on: Jun 14, 2013

  • I am a former admin assistant that worked with Bill. He was tough on his staff at times but underneath it all he was a kind hearted man. There were times when staff played tricks on each other. Another admin and I decided to play one on Bill. We always had snacks on the counter and at one time we had sour jawbreakers we talked him into trying. We both stood there as he walked away, suddenly he turned to us with that look on his face when the sourness of the candy hit him. The look he had was so funny and he finally managed to say to us "I'm gonna get you back for this". How many bosses would put up with pranks such as the one we played on him. All in all the CWB Sales Dept under Bill's wings was a great place to work. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Marlene Wood (former sales employee) on: Jun 14, 2013

  • I had the honour of working in the sales department that was headed by Bill for about 10 years. He was a very stubborn and demanding boss which was great for us, as it forced us to be over-prepared to defend our positions and opinions as he saw every angle of every problem and was brilliant in his business. His hard work and demanding nature earned an incredible amount of additional revenue for the farmers of western Canada. Getting Bill's approval on initiatives was always a challenging yet fulfilling task. When he wasn't pouring over papers and analysis, he loved to share old stories of business and talk about his family fondly. He is a true legend in our business and will be dearly missed. - Posted by: Derek Sliworsky (Former Colleague at the CWB) on: Jun 13, 2013

  • We are so sad to read of Bill's passing. We met Bill in Arizona where we are neighbours, only to learn we also live close to each other in Winnipeg! We will miss his smiling face and his motorcycle in our streets down south. I would always look out the window to check on Bill when I would hear his 'cycle. We could tell Bill was a very loving father. No conversation with Bill was complete without his speaking very fondly about his kids. We are so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Joan & Eric Sawyer (neighbour - Arizona) on: Jun 12, 2013

  • Bill and I knew each other through the CWB, special events and at West Hawk. He was witty, smart, good looking and lived his life to the fullest. My husband and I always enjoyed his company and shared a lot of laughs with Bill. As Chair of the Health and Safety Committee, it was my task to try to get Bill to stop smoking in his office, but to no avail. I'm glad he enjoyed his retirement, and really wish he had more time to continue to enjoy it. Rest in peace, Bud. - Posted by: Judy Bond (Worked at the Wheat Board with Bill) on: Jun 12, 2013

  • My fondest member of Bill was his love of children. You could watch his playful side with the conversations with the children from the daycare as they road the elevator at the CWB. We all respected Bill's intelligence, and business savy, but when the kids got on the elevator you could look over at Bill and see the kid in him. And when the kids got off the elevator, it was back to business. - Posted by: David Marshall (Colleage) on: Jun 12, 2013

  • I worked at the CWB as Bill's assistant market analyst for Foreign Competition in the mid-1970's. Bill was a workaholic and demanded nothing but the best out of his staff. I learned a great deal from Bill. One could never doubt his dedication to the western Canadian farmer. - Posted by: John Irvine (Former Colleague at the CWB) on: Jun 12, 2013

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home & Cemetery

4000 Portage Ave. (Map)
Ph: 2048859715 | Visit Website

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