WILLIAM WERDEN SPAFFORD

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