WILLIAM MALCOLM (BILL)

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WILLIAM MALCOLM (BILL) McMILLAN Bill McMillan, beloved husband of Florence McMillan of Portage la Prairie, passed away at Lions Prairie Manor, Portage la Prairie, on Friday, January 2, 2004 at the age of 89 years. Bill was born at Macdonald, Manitoba on October 26, 1914, son of the late Rodney and Agnes McMillan, and received his education at West Oakland School, Portage Collegiate, Normal School and the University of Manitoba. He taught school at Belle Plain, McKay (east of Birch River), East Curtis, was the principal at Wingham Consolidated and taught Mathematics and Science in Grades 9 to 12 at Elm Creek. After war service in the RCAF, Bill served as Municipal Administrator of the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie from 1946 to 1983. Following retirement, Bill served on the Council of the City of Portage la Prairie for six years, the last three as Mayor. Bill was an active member of various community and service organizations. He was a director of the Portage Fair Board, President of the Portage Curling Club, on the executive of the Portage Golf Club and was active in Little League provincial play downs. Bill was a 68 year member of the Oddfellows Lodge, joining on May 28, 1935, had served as Noble Grand and was a Life Member of the Oddfellows Lodge, a Past Worshipful Master of Marquette Masonic Lodge and present member of Gothic Temple Masonic Lodge as well as the Royal Canadian Legion. Bill served on the Board of Stewards of Elm Creek United Church, was Superintendent of Trinity United Church Sunday School and in 1950 attended the Mid-Century Conference on Christian Education in Toronto. Bill also served as an usher and auditor of Trinity United Church for many years. In 1970 Bill represented the Manitoba Municipal Administrators Association at a joint convention in Montreal attended by nearly a thousand municipal and school officials of Quebec. Bill gave one-half his address to the gathering in French. Predeceased by his parents, Rodney and Agnes, two brothers, Rodney and Gordon and an infant son Andrew, Bill is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Florence (nee Adrain) and two sons, Robert (Linda) of Winnipeg, Dennis (Marilyn) of Carberry and their children Nancy (Harry) Hoff of Brandon and Hugh and Marcie both of Winnipeg, two sisters Lillian Gillespie of Portage la Prairie, Dorothy (Wallace) Williams of Oakland as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bill enjoyed curling and golfing. He and Florence loved to dance, socialize and play cards. He attended every Municipal Convention. Bill was never happier than when surrounded by laughing and talking with family and friends at the Delta cottage. A service of remembrance will be held at Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street S., Portage la Prairie, at 2:30 on Tuesday, January 6, 2004. Interment will follow at Evergreen Gardens in Portage la Prairie. If friends so desire, memorial donations in lieu of flowers, may be made to Portage Trinity United Church Memorial Fund, 18 Tupper Street South, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1W7 or Lions Prairie Manor Foundation 24, 9th Street SE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3A8 or a charity of your choice. A tree will be planted and cared for in memory of Bill by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel who are entrusted with the arrangements. 857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2004