REV. WILLIAM GIETZ

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REV. WILLIAM GIETZ 1917 - 2013 Rev. William (Bill) Gietz of Winnipeg passed away peacefully early November 21, 2013 at the age of 96. He was born in 1917 in Poland, coming to Canada with his family and settling near Pincher Creek, AB in 1928. He attended Winnipeg Bible Institute (now Providence College) where he met Thora Oliver, marrying her in 1943. Following the births of three sons, Nelson, Wesley and Rodney, and service in the Air Force in Calgary during the Second World War, he began divinity studies at McMaster University. Around this time he served in student pastorates at Eagle River, ON and South Cayuga, ON. His first full time ministry began in 1951 at First Baptist in Kenora, ON, where son Peter was born, but who died in infancy. He and Thora built a cottage while they lived there, and regardless of where they lived, Kenora and its people drew them back every summer. He next served Emerson Baptist in Emerson, MB, where son Clark was born, then Westmount Baptist in Moose Jaw, SK, before taking a position with the Saskatchewan government. He was called to First Baptist in Calgary, AB as associate pastor, then moved to Thunder Bay, ON where he pastored Ft. William Baptist. During this time he also served on Canadian Baptist Overseas Mission Board, now CBM. He retired from pastoral ministry from St. Vital Baptist in Winnipeg, MB, as Pastor Emeritus. He also served a short interim pastorate at FBC Yorkton, SK. He was predeceased by son Peter in 1955, beloved and devoted wife Thora in 2008, and son Rodney in 2011. He is survived by sons Nelson (Doris), Wesley (Gloria), and Clark (Rosie), grandchildren Allison (Jef), Avery, Cory, Jason (Rebecca), Jesse (Erin), Joanna, Jonathan (Blythe), Lisa, Stephen (Kristin), and Timothy (Brittany), and great-grandchildren Brooklynn, Charlotte, Ciaran, Deaglan, Liam, and Liam, and sisters Alice Gietz and Millie Doubt. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2 at Willowlake Baptist Church, 45 Willowlake Crescent, Winnipeg. The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Meadowood Manor Nursing Home for the conscientious and compassionate care they provided both Mom and Dad during their time there. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Meadowood Manor Nursing Home, 577 St. Anne's Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 5B2 or Willowlake Baptist Church, 45 Willowlake Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2J 2Z4. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C 0X4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 30, 2013