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WILBERT (BILL) HEATHER
Born: Dec 05, 1945
Date of Passing: Jun 15, 2020
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
WILBERT (BILL) HEATHER
December 5, 1945 - June 15, 2020
Bill is survived by his wife Diane, son Burke and his husband Daniel Varela, son Wil and his wife Michelle Stewart, and grandsons, Stewart and Alexander. He had a special lifelong relationship with Harry Peril, was a special uncle to Karen, Sheryl, Barry and Larissa, and was a mentor and special person to Sean Black. He was dear to all our hearts and we will all miss his infinite love and guidance.
He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Margaret Chongva, and Diane's son Brad.
Bill had a long career in the field of education starting at the age of 17 in the one-room Uppingham School at Ostenfeld and progressing to teacher, consultant and principal in the Transcona Springfield School Division. No matter what role or which school, Bill always stood up for his staff and students and tried to make the education fit the person rather than the person fit the education.
His main love, after his family, was farming and cattle. He and Diane worked side by side with their sons to expand the family farm and build a Charolais herd. A very proud moment was receiving a Heritage Farm designation in 2014 in recognition of the family having owned and operated the same parcel of land for 125 years.
After selling the purebred herd, Bill took a turn as councillor for Ward 5, R.M. of Tache. In his nearly 10 years in this role he felt the most important thing was to listen to residents and to help them in whatever way he could. He never believed in hiding behind policy and always looked for a solution.
In keeping with Bill's wishes and due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private burial will be held at Prairie Grove Cemetery.
If friends and family wish they may donate to Bibliotèque Tache Library, 1082 Dawson Road, Lorette, MB R5K 0S8. A tax receipt will be issued.
The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone for their support and generous offers of help over the last year and to Dr. David Dawe, Dr. A. Bissonnette and Brigitte Remillard of the Palliative Care program who together made it easier for Bill to remain at home as he wished.
He did it his way and
we didn't expect anything else.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 20, 2020
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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I’m deeply saddened to read of Bill’s passing. He was an amazing educator and mentor and I have often been grateful for him as my first administrator. I was looking him up, hoping I could tell him that in person when I found this obituary. I’m sorry for your loss, Diane. - Posted by: Kathy Redekopp (Colleague in Anola ) on: Dec 15, 2020
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Happy Heavenly Birthday Bill. I waited for your Birthday Call. The phone rang and it was Diane. I thank you Diane and Bill for remembering my birthday and for all the good times we shared. - Posted by: Carole Christiansen (Friend) on: Dec 05, 2020
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What can I say, he was a baseball teammate when we played baseball with other one room schools in Springfield school division, our high-school bus driver, and after we had all gone our separate ways, Billy stayed in the area he was raised in, was a respected educator, farmer and councilor for his constitutes, friends and neighbors. He is and will be missed. Rest in peace my friend. - Posted by: Steve Petriew (Former neighbor,schoolmate,friend .) on: Jul 31, 2020
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Diane, our condolences to you and your family on the loss of Bill. He was a person apart, kind and funny. We hope that your memories of him will give you comfort and in time make you chuckle. - Posted by: Rina De Meyer (neughbour) on: Jul 10, 2020
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I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Diane. I'm certain that you have many wonderful memories to sustain you through this time. Take care. - Posted by: Bev Henderson (Friend) on: Jun 23, 2020
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It was with great sorrow that I heard of special man's passing. To Bill's family, relatives and friends I offer my sincerest condolences. I had the distinct honour to work with Bill when he was my principal at MUS. It was such a pleasure to go to his school every day. You knew he had your back and he stood back and let you do your job. If you needed help or just a sympathetic ear he was there for you. I had thought of Bill many times over the years and wished I had made contact. Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Bill always did it his way and that's what I most respected about him. Thank you Bill, for knowing you and letting me work with you. - Posted by: Patrick Bend (colleague and friend) on: Jun 22, 2020
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My condolences to you Diane and family Bill was one of the good ones. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Evelyn Prairie (Friend ) on: Jun 21, 2020
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Dear Diane and family, I was very saddened to hear of Bill's passing my sympathy to you. Living in ward5 Tache we were in good hands with Bill on Council, he will be missed, may you find comfort in knowing that he was loved. - Posted by: Anne Augustine (friend) on: Jun 21, 2020
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It was a special pleasure to know Bill. We met when he was a prinipal in Dugald and through the Kyle family came to know him very well. As well we crossed paths when he was a councillor for Tache Municpality. He did so much for Tache and in particular the Sports Centre. We worked together on several committies. His leadership was substantial. He will be missed. - Posted by: Harv and Bev Lyons (Friends) on: Jun 21, 2020
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Remembering time spent at the farm in my younger years. Sending condolences to family. Sincerely Bob and Jan Stalker. - Posted by: Bob Stalker (Cousin) on: Jun 20, 2020
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The world and all his friends lost an exceptionally good friend. Bill Heather it was always our pleasure to be in the presence of you and Diane. Our condolences to your family. - Posted by: Carole and Lloyd Christansen (Friends) on: Jun 20, 2020