BILL HEINKEL

Condolences & Memories (28 entries)

• I was extremely saddened to hear of Bill's passing and I offer my deepest condolences to the Heinkel family. From a work standpoint I will always cherish my time with Bill. He was a great mentor to me and someone whose leadership and patient approach to problem solving helped shape my own interactions with staff. It was however, the time I spent with Bill outside of work that I will most fondly remember especially the many games of golf we played. He never hit his drives very far but they were always straight and he made the game look easy when he consistently stayed on the fairway. About the only time I saw him in the rough or off in the bush was when was helping me find my ball. His golf luck was never more evident then the time we teed off on a par 3 that had water on one side and sand on the other. Bill goes first and drives his ball towards the water but instead of a splash he managed to hit 2 separate rocks with his ball ultimately bouncing up on the green about 5 feet from the pin. When I think of Bill that shot pretty much captures my memory of the man I knew and like that shot I believe his life was "well played"! - Posted by: Wes Jones (Work colleague and friend) on: Nov 21, 2018

• Our condolences on Bill's passing. What a patient and nice man! We had the great pleasure of getting to know Bill and Jean and their daughter Colleen, thanks to an amazing friendship and partnership with their daughter Susan! I have never met a more patient person, when it came time to teach the newbies how to water ski at Sherwood Lake! He would circle the boat around and pick you up and try again, time after time, with a smile on his face. Thanks Bill & Jean for raising and sharing such a beautiful and kind family with us! Bill you will be missed, but never forgotten. XO - Posted by: Linda and Kevin Kavitch (Friends) on: Nov 14, 2018

• Jean, Susan and Colleen - I was so sorry to hear about Bill's struggle with ALS and his eventual passing. I knew Bill to be a kind, cheerful man with twinkly eyes and a ready laugh. When we were kids, our summers at the lake were filled with many fun parties where Bill and Jean participated in wild, silly games and laughed most of the night. He was a great friend to my parents, a wonderful father and husband. He will truly be missed. - Posted by: Jennifer Keller (Friend from Sherwood Lake) on: Nov 13, 2018

• We are deeply saddened by the news of your loss. We can't imagine what you must be feeling right now and we want you to know that our thoughts are with you. Our condolences on the passing of Bill. - Posted by: Hedi & Sige and the whole family in Germany (Family ) on: Nov 12, 2018

• Sincere condolences to the Heinkel family. As a former GWL colleague of Bill’s, I came to admire him, as so many people did, for his intelligence, fairness, and leadership skills. But, it was after retirement, at our quarterly ex GWL employee lunches, that I really got to know and appreciate Bill - the proud family man, the accomplished golfer and curler and the enthusiastic snowbird. He will be dearly missed by all of us. - Posted by: Kathy Helbrecht (Friend/Former Colleague) on: Nov 08, 2018

• Jean, Susan, Colleen and your families, I was so saddened to learn of Bill's passing. I have such great memories of our times together and the fun we had. The boys and I send you our sincerest sympathy. - Posted by: Val Kemp (Friend) on: Nov 08, 2018

• We are deeply saddened to hear of Bill's passing. We remember Bill had a great personality and always a smile. We always enjoyed our get togethers and playing Willows Pit with you both. Our deepest condolences to Jean and family. - Posted by: Frank and Evelyn Apperley (Friends ) on: Nov 08, 2018

• I enjoyed working as a volunteer with Bill on the board of the Past President of Manitoba Curling Clubs. Bill's organizational abilities and dedication were a wonder to behold. He always had things ready for meetings and events. He must have spent hours on his duties to the board. My sympathies go to Jean and the family. I also was fortunate to know Jean as we worked together in the Curl Manitoba office. I know she will miss Bill tremendously. - Posted by: William (Bill) Biehl (Friend) on: Nov 07, 2018

• Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Unfortunately we will be in Iowa attending the funeral of my youngest brother at the time of Bill's Memorial. Our sympathies to you Jean and daughters. Bill was a great asset to our Lake community and he will be missed. - Posted by: Norman and Jean Fullerton (Friends) on: Nov 07, 2018

• My sympathies to Bill’s family on his passing. I had the good fortune to work in Underwriting with Bill and respected him for his integrity as a leader, his common sense approach and having a kind word for anyone, regardless of their position in the organization. May his family and friends find comfort in their memories. - Posted by: Monica Ptak (GWL) on: Nov 07, 2018

• So sorry Jean to hear of Bill's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. - Posted by: Colleen Sampson (Friend) on: Nov 07, 2018

• The Deer Lodge Ladies Curling Club extend their condolences to Jean and the rest of the family on the passing of Bill. The club will miss him. - Posted by: Karen Dewar (Past president Deer Lodge Ladies Curling Club) on: Nov 07, 2018

• Our Deepest Sympathy To Jean & Family Will treasure the memory our last get together and pit game he was always a lot of fun our prayers are with you - Posted by: Dolores &Tom Dame (Friends ) on: Nov 07, 2018

• Our Deepest Sympathy To Jean & Family Will treasure the memory our last get together and pit game. He was always a lot of fun. Our prayers are with you. - Posted by: Dolores &Tom Dame (Friends ) on: Nov 07, 2018

• Jean & family - our sincere condolences on Bill's passing. Cherish all those great memories. - Posted by: Gail & El Hay - Mesa, AZ (curling friend) on: Nov 07, 2018

• So sorry to hear the sad news about Bill's recent passing . We remember Bill and his kind personality very well, living 'down south' together....golf, cards, shuffling and especially the infamous Willows Pit game, which we all enjoyed playing together. Our most sincere condolences and sympathies to Jean and the family. Bill and all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. - Posted by: Lasby & Carole Lowes (Friends) on: Nov 06, 2018

• We are deeply saddened to hear of Bills passing. He was a gentle giant with a heart of gold. He will be missed. Hugs to you, Jean and your family. - Posted by: Lori & Bert Morissette (Friend ) on: Nov 06, 2018

• We are so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. Jean , you and your family are in our thoughts and cares. We send you our deepest sympathy . - Posted by: Ron and Carol Watson (Friends) on: Nov 06, 2018

• When Bill and Jean were my neighbors in Texas I always enjoyed the end of season beanbag tournament held in their yard. We had lots of fun and of course the good food and drinks added to the location. My sympathy to Jean and the rest of the family, on the loss of a wonderful man. - Posted by: Beth Feckter (Friend) on: Nov 06, 2018

• Our sincerest condolences to you Jean and to your family. We were so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. We thoroughly enjoyed knowing him and the comments here show just how loved and respected he was. Sincerely, Ted & Jeannette Vandegraaf Graaf - Posted by: Ted & Jeannette Vande Graaf (Friend) on: Nov 06, 2018

• We are so sorry to hear the sad news about Bill. We have many great memories or Bill and yourself down south in Texas. Playing bean bag, cards, golfing and of course many wonderful happy hours. Our sincere sympathy to you Jean and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. - Posted by: Randy & Maureen Demyd (Friends) on: Nov 06, 2018

• Jean, Susan, Colleen and family, I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I cherish the time I worked for Bill at GWL. He was a man of great integrity, with passion for his work and family. I loved the stories he would share about the lake, Sausage Links and his family, especially his grandsons. He will be greatly missed at our GWL Alumni lunches. - Posted by: Lilly Rempel-Tucker (co-worker) on: Nov 06, 2018

• Heartfelt thoughts to Bill's family and friends. He was such a pleasure to work with. Very thoughtful and fair. His smile was wonderful. Cherish your many great memories. - Posted by: Lynn Checkley (GWL) on: Nov 06, 2018

• We share your sadness at Bill's passing. The Sherwood Lake Roads board will never be the same. - Posted by: Cliff and Trish Tottle (Sherwood Lake friend) on: Nov 06, 2018

• We were so saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. Our deepest thoughts and sympathy go to you Jean and all your family. Sorry we won’t be at the funeral, we are leaving for the south this morning. Our heart felt thoughts will be with you on the 10th and always. Hope to see you in the spring. - Posted by: Raisa and Gerry Davies (Friend ) on: Nov 06, 2018

• I will always appreciate the opportunities Bill provided me at GWL. He was one of the best; smart, great sense of humor, patient and understanding. Special memories include one particular curling game at the GWL Bonspiel, Bill heading to the bank on Friday afternoons during the summer months and a birthday celebration in Toronto. We will miss Bill at our quarterly ex-GWL employee lunches. - Posted by: Alex McCuaig (Co-worker) on: Nov 06, 2018

• My condolences for your loss. I had the great opportunity to meet Bill and his wife, Jean when we moved in next door to them many years ago. We had pie shaped lots with large backyards, and a small (shared) front yard. I remember the first year we lived next door, and waking up on April 20, which is my birthday, to see the front yard covered in birthday wishes...only to discover that Bill and I shared birthdays! He was celebrating a milestone birthday that year. We have since moved, however I am now lucky enough to cross roads with the family again, as I curl with Sue. Very sorry for your loss. I know how strong family is to you. Cherish the memories you have. xoxoxo - Posted by: Heather Hayden (Old Neighbour, Curling friend of Sue) on: Nov 06, 2018

• Bill was the best “boss” anyone could have. He was patient, understanding, inspiring, unbiased, and most of all...he was fun to work with. His weekly “meetings” over coffee with my other colleagues were eagerly attended. We often solved each others problems and became lifelong friends. We still met for dinner with Bill once a year and kept in touch after we all went our separate ways. Bill was brilliant! - Posted by: Liliane Tremblay (GWL junior associate) on: Nov 06, 2018