WILLIAM BEATON

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WILLIAM BEATON

William Beaton, known to most as Willie, was born on September 23, 1938, in Glasgow, Scotland.

He left Scotland in 1956 as a 19-year-old destined for Canada, but through all his years in his adopted homeland, he remained a proud Scotsman. In Scotland dad left behind his parents, a brother and four sisters all of whom remained very close to his heart. He wrote to the family monthly regaling his adventures in Canada, while also sending money and gifts for the family whenever he could. Whilst at school as a lad, at the Dingwall Academy, William fostered the artistic talent which he would eventually put to good use as a source of livelihood with the CBC. He was a regular in the scene shops in both Winnipeg, and for a time in Edmonton, Alberta. It was while working with CBC Edmonton in 1966 that Willie met his bride to be, Anita. They tied the knot in 1967, and the family grew. In 1970 they made a move back to Winnipeg where dad became a valued part of the CBC Design Department for over 30 years. Working primarily as a Set Designer, dad would contribute to daily and weekly television shows and various high-profile events involving visits by the Royal Family, the Pope, and almost all major sporting events in Winnipeg brought to air.

When dad retired from the CBC, he sorely missed the friendships and the collegial collaboration he had with the crew down at the Keddy Building. In retirement, dad did what he could to support mom and her bustling Flower Shop, aiding her with his experience, and contacts, to properly round out the showy functions they put together for mom’s clientele.

As a schoolboy dad dabbled in rugby, football, shinty and quite enjoyed cycling. In Canada he trained and fought out of the Madison Boxing Club in Winnipeg, while in his middle years he loved slipping away one or three hours a week to dash around the squash court. As a proud Winnipegger, dad was an avid Bomber fan and season ticket holder for more than 20 years. More recently he enjoyed the return of the Winnipeg Jets franchise and loved witnessing the giant strides the Team took year over year.

Willie was a proud man with high principles, always wanting things to be done in the proper way.

He did not believe in pure extravagance as a goal, believing comfort alone was luxury enough. As a designer simplicity was the ultimate show of sophistication. He was a modern art enthusiast, he quietly marvelled over the vision and technique of modernist painters, some he new as fellow colleagues at the CBC. He enjoyed clean crisp lines of North American cars, having owned numerous classics in his youth including a Fairlane, Thunderbird, and Mustang, to name a few. He was not a musician but a great lover of music - particularly jazz. There would always be Highland Pipe music blaring on the night of the St. Andrew’s Day dinner, and there was always the music of Brubeck, Getz, Blakey, and the Duke, wafting through the house while dad prepared roast beef and Yorkshire pudding - each and every Sunday afternoon.

Dad will be missed for his clear views on things, direct astute observations, his good humour, and his ever dependable, devoted and caring attention to his wife Anita (predeceased). Willie is survived by his sisters, Helen (Sean) and Sheena (Brian), his sons, Donald (Angela), Ewan (Danielle), cherished stepdaughter Heather (Karl), and his beloved grandchildren, Evelyn, Loic, Brittney and Kyle.

There will be a small private interment by the Family. Any memorial donations may be made in William’s name to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation or the Winnipeg Humane Society.

Glen Lawn Funeral Home

204-982-7550

Tribute Link: wwwglenlawn.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 2024, Nov 02, 2024