WILLIS LEONARD WILSON

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WILLIS LEONARD WILSON September 2, 1917 - January 10, 2016 With great sadness the family of Willis Leonard Wilson (Len) announce his peaceful passing on January 10, 2016 at Deer Lodge Centre with his granddaughter, Jennifer, by his side. To cherish his memory Len leaves: daughter Pat Kowlessar (Neal), son Brian Wilson (June Butler); granddaughters Debra and Jennifer Kowlessar, Samantha Wilson-Clark (Jeremy) and Sandra Wilson; great-grandchildren Charlotte and Isabelle Clark, and Vincent Wilson; his daughter-in-law for many years, Ruth Wilson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Len was predeceased by his wife Mildred (2006), parents Edith and Arthur Wilson, father-in-law and mother-in-law Stan and Nettie Watson, sister Ada, brother William (Bill), and sister Hazel Hill. Len was born in Ridgeville, and grew up in various towns in Manitoba. He graduated from business college and began his life-time career with Canadian National Railway, retiring in 1982. During the Second World War he served as a R.C.A.F. Flying Officer with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan teaching new recruits basic flying. Len met Mildred Watson in Dauphin, MB, and they married in 1940. They moved to Winnipeg in 1942 to raise their family. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary before Mildred's passing. Len and Mildred weathered many good times and tough times together, always a source of strength and support for each other. They enjoyed travel including trips to Trinidad and Tobago, East Africa, Israel, Hawaii, and across Canada and the United States. Camping around Manitoba was a frequent family summer activity. Len and Mildred joined Harrow United Church in 1946. They were both immersed in many church activities where they took on numerous leadership roles. Len was very active and involved in his church all his life and supported it continually until he passed. Len was very fit. He exercised daily and walked, cycled and skated as the seasons permitted. He was a member of Charleswood Golf Club, Charleswood Curling Club and Reh-Fit Centre. He also enjoyed planting and tending his vegetable garden. Len was a very kind-hearted, generous and caring person. Len volunteered for, and participated in, many groups and activities. He was a continuous participant and supporter of the longitudinal Manitoba Follow-Up Study since his discharge from the R.C.A.F. He touched and made a difference in many people's lives. Len was a very determined and independent person. He faced and overcame many challenges with faith, strength and courage. He was a wonderful example to his family, friends and others. Despite losing his sight completely late in life, he was able to live on his own at home, with some help from home care and his family. It was only after a fall in 2014 that he was forced to enter a personal care home. Len was a very special and attentive father and grandfather who would do anything for any of his family, especially his four granddaughters. He instilled in all of us the importance of education and hard work, as well as the importance of helping and service to others. The family gratefully thank the staff of Deer Lodge Centre, particularly those on Tower 6, the physiotherapy department and others who worked directly with Len, for all the love, compassion, care and respect they showed to him. Special thanks also to his companions for the kind care they provided to Len when family members were not available. Cremation has taken place; private inurnment at a later date. A memorial service celebrating Len's life will be held at Harrow United Church, 955 Mulvey Avenue, on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Teresa Moysey officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Len's memory to Harrow United Church, the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, or a charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Jan 16, 2016

WILLIS LEONARD WILSON September 2, 1917 - January 10, 2016 With great sadness the family of Willis Leonard Wilson (Len) announce his peaceful passing on January 10, 2016 at Deer Lodge Centre with his granddaughter, Jennifer, by his side. To cherish his memory Len leaves: daughter Pat Kowlessar (Neal), son Brian Wilson (June Butler); granddaughters Debra and Jennifer Kowlessar, Samantha Wilson-Clark (Jeremy) and Sandra Wilson; great-grandchildren Charlotte and Isabelle Clark, and Vincent Wilson; his daughter-in-law for many years, Ruth Wilson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Len was predeceased by his wife Mildred (2006), parents Edith and Arthur Wilson, father-in-law and mother-in-law Stan and Nettie Watson, sister Ada, brother William (Bill), and sister Hazel Hill. Len was born in Ridgeville, and grew up in various towns in Manitoba. He graduated from business college and began his life-time career with Canadian National Railway, retiring in 1982. During the Second World War he served as a R.C.A.F. Flying Officer with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan teaching new recruits basic flying. Len met Mildred Watson in Dauphin, MB, and they married in 1940. They moved to Winnipeg in 1942 to raise their family. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary before Mildred's passing. Len and Mildred weathered many good times and tough times together, always a source of strength and support for each other. They enjoyed travel including trips to Trinidad and Tobago, East Africa, Israel, Hawaii, and across Canada and the United States. Camping around Manitoba was a frequent family summer activity. Len and Mildred joined Harrow United Church in 1946. They were both immersed in many church activities where they took on numerous leadership roles. Len was very active and involved in his church all his life and supported it continually until he passed. Len was very fit. He exercised daily and walked, cycled and skated as the seasons permitted. He was a member of Charleswood Golf Club, Charleswood Curling Club and Reh-Fit Centre. He also enjoyed planting and tending his vegetable garden. Len was a very kind-hearted, generous and caring person. Len volunteered for, and participated in, many groups and activities. He was a continuous participant and supporter of the longitudinal Manitoba Follow-Up Study since his discharge from the R.C.A.F. He touched and made a difference in many people's lives. Len was a very determined and independent person. He faced and overcame many challenges with faith, strength and courage. He was a wonderful example to his family, friends and others. Despite losing his sight completely late in life, he was able to live on his own at home, with some help from home care and his family. It was only after a fall in 2014 that he was forced to enter a personal care home. Len was a very special and attentive father and grandfather who would do anything for any of his family, especially his four granddaughters. He instilled in all of us the importance of education and hard work, as well as the importance of helping and service to others. The family gratefully thank the staff of Deer Lodge Centre, particularly those on Tower 6, the physiotherapy department and others who worked directly with Len, for all the love, compassion, care and respect they showed to him. Special thanks also to his companions for the kind care they provided to Len when family members were not available. Cremation has taken place; private inurnment at a later date. A memorial service celebrating Len's life will be held at Harrow United Church, 955 Mulvey Avenue, on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Teresa Moysey officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Len's memory to Harrow United Church, the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, or a charity of your choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Jan 15, 2016

WILLIS LEONARD WILSON On Sunday, January 10, 2016 at Deer Lodge Centre, Len Wilson passed away at the age of 98 years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Harrow United Church, 955 Mulvey Avenue at Harrow Street. Longer obituary notice to follow Friday. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Jan 12, 2016
Publish Date: Jan 15, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 16, 2016