WILLIAM GEORGE JOHNSTON

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WILLIAM GEORGE JOHNSTON Surrounded by his family, William George Johnston of Peguis First Nation passed away on Friday, March 16, 2001, at the Health Sciences Centre, at the age of 66 years. Our dad will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his ever loving wife Ida, of 40 years; his son Oral (Carol) of Little Black River; daughters, Norma, Rosalind (Russell), and Loretta, and our step-sister Fran, all from Winnipeg. Dad is also survived by his step-mother Dorothy; brothers, Joe (Lena), Stanford, and Allan; sisters, Kathleen (Charlie), Gertrude, Violet, and Betty Anne (Mike) 15 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dad was predeceased by his son Donny and his parents Stanley and Gertrude. For those who knew him well, Dad took great pride in his many accomplishments. He never hesitated to share his knowledge and was always willing to help his family and friends. He led a very active life. Dad began working at the age of 14, leaving his home in Peguis and eventually fishing on Lake Winnipeg. In the spring of 1960, he met Mom at Warrens Landing, Man. They married on September 8 of that same year. In 1964 Mom and Dad moved to Winnipeg where dad worked and raised his family. In 1989, he left his employment of 25 years and returned to his passion-fishing. Returning to commercial fishing gave him the freedom to fulfill his aspirations of being his own boss, traveling, hunting as he pleased, and enjoying the company of his many friends and relatives, all of which he loved to do. In tears we saw you sinking We watched you fade away; You suffered much in silence You fought so hard to stay. You faced your task with courage Your spirit did not bend, But still you kept on fighting Until the very end. God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you And whispered, "Come with Me". You didnt deserve what you went through So He took you home to rest, Gods garden is beautiful For He only takes the best. You suffered in silence Your spirit did not bend, You faced your pain with courage Until the very end. You tried so hard to stay with us Your fight was all in vain, God took you in His loving arms And freed you from your pain. A golden heart stopped beating Two gentle hands at rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best. Your presence we all miss Your memory we treasure, Well hold you in our hearts And memories forever. Active pallbearers will be Brian Johnston, Blain Johnston, Melvin Johnston, Reg Paupanekis, Bruce Sturgeon, and Carl McPherson. Honorary pallbearers will be Percy Cameron, Dennis Daniels, Carl Johnston, Louis Johnston, Edgar Johnston, and Henry Muswagon. There will be a viewing on Tuesday, March 20 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave., from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, March 21 at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the Cancer Care Foundation of Winnipeg as well as the hospital staff at Health Sciences Centre. Your care and kindness that was shown for our Dad over this past year is greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 19, 2001