WILLIAM CHRISTIE

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WILLIAM (BILL) CHRISTIE MARCH 17, 1924 MARCH 24, 2015 It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of the Patriarch of our family, Bill Christie. Bill Christie, beloved husband of Sheila was born and raised in Elmwood where he attended Elmwood and Lord Selkirk schools. He joined the Merchant Marine in 1942 and was employed by Union Steam Ships of Vancouver until enlisting in The Royal Canadian Navy serving on the North Atlantic until 1945. Following his service in the Armed Forces he was employed by the Federal Civil Service Accounting and War Assets at Fort Osborne Barracks. He left his position to return to University of Manitoba where he studied Commerce until 1948 then joining the staff of the CNR Commissary Department in the Union Station. Later that year he began working at Vulcan Iron and Engineering holding various offices with that company through many corporate acquisitions until it's closing in 1981. He was then transferred to Russell Steel Inc. as structural steel products manager until his retirement in 1990. Bill devoted much of his time to the community through coaching little league hockey and baseball at the Deer Lodge Community Centre and was a past board member of the St. James district Cubs and Scouts where he organized a Volunteer Based Swim Program. He was a Certified Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and Examiner, a member of the Water Safety Instructors Association, The Royal Life Saving Society and The Manitoba Underwater Council. He was a volunteer instructor at the Winnipeg Central Y.M.C.A. where he was recognized for teaching the Monday Night Adult "Learn to Swim" program for over thirty years. His love of curling was evident through his membership with the Elmwood and Deer Lodge Curling Clubs and later the Antlers, the Winnipeg Steelers and the Steelmen's Association. He belonged to the St. James Royal Canadian Legion #4 regularly meeting with and enjoying the company of a group of fellow comrades where he shared many laughs. Bill was an avid golfer and shot many fine rounds at the Teulon Golf and Country Club where he was a member. Bill bravely headed up many annual family camping trips. Some of his favourite days, according to him, were taking his young family and his 1968 Silverliner tent trailer all across North America. Bill and Sheila were avid travellers, enjoying the delights of Europe, UK, Mexico and Hawaii. He spent many happy years as a cottage owner at Matlock, taking great pleasure in the company of family and friends. Bill was exceptionally hard working, a person of great integrity and respected by his peers and all who came to know him. He was true to his principles and never hesitated to speak his mind. He will be sorely missed, remembered with much fondness and never forgotten by his wife Sheila, daughter Catherine (Kate) Christie, son Bob and wife Gloria Christie, daughter Barbara and husband Bruce Sewart, grandchildren Taylor and Drew Christie, Mac and Isabella Sewart and devoted dog Sadie. As per Bill's wishes there will be a private family celebration of Bill's life. Both Judge Judy and WWE Wrestling have lost a loyal fan.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 28, 2015