WILLIAM J. ZAPORZAN

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• I just miss Bill every day. RIP. - Posted by: Ron Zaporzan (Brother) on: Jan 15, 2023

• Dear Bernie,Mark,Luke,Tony & Becky-I first met Billie when he was a day old in hospital in Vancouver..following years babysat "a few"times..they moved back to Winnipeg,I got married & moved to Washington,DC..visited Wpg over the years Kept in touch some,I remember getting a letter from Billie when he worked in the Arctic.The last time I saw Billie was at Uncle Jerry'sfuneral in 2001-I just hugged & hugged him..I think I embarrassed him but if I had to do it over I would do exactly the same!sweet Billie! I got a card from Auntie Stella (Zaporzan-92 yrs old Wpg)on Tues.July 28,& she told me what happened..she assumed someone had already told me..but that was the first I knew..Mark,I love how you wrote about your Dad..you are him! I bet your brothers are too. Bernie,I met you only briefly,but I remember you.I hope that my email adrs & ph # are posted for u to read - pls email & or call me 415-827-0271(cell)I would love to hear from any of you-I don"t know how to reach any of you..If u have any interest in coming to San Francisco let me know -you will stay with me of course..I hve pictures of your Dad when he was little,my heart is with you.love auntie Duchie - Posted by: Dorean (Duchie Zaporzan) London (Billie's Auntie (formerly Winnipeg,Vancouver-now San Francisco area)) on: Jul 30, 2015

• I am very sorry for your loss. I had not seen Bill much since we were kids. Judging from what his son, Mark wrote, Bill the grown up man was the same kind and thoughtful Billy we knew as kids. The world needs more people like him and it is sad that he is gone. - Posted by: joe hadfield (cousin) on: Jul 05, 2015

• I am still in shock that Bill is gone. We had so many good times growing as kids. Bill had such a big heart and was great to be around. We are extremely sorry for your loss Bernie, Mark, Tony (Becky) and Luke. Ron my heart goes out to you in this time of extreme sorrow. Love you all, Gary and Eileen. - Posted by: Gary Zanewich (Cousin) on: Jul 04, 2015

• Dear Bernie: I am so sorry to hear about Bill. My sincere condolences to you and your family. I remember each and every time my Mom Fran and I visited Aunty Kris over the years, she talked lovingly about Bill and the family..things the grandkids were doing. Please take care, my thoughts and extra prayers are with you all.--Rosie - Posted by: Rosie Asmundson (cousin) on: Jul 02, 2015

• We are very sorry to read of Bill's passing. We always had so much fun when the boys were playing football. Do you remember the first year before the guys coached. We told before the 2nd season, they had so much to say about the refs that they had either had to ref or coach so they would be on the other side of the field. It worked. Peace in the bleachers for a couple of seasons anyway. Love to you Bernie and the boys. Always & forever. - Posted by: Carol & Brian Cordingley (Friends thru DCC & Mustang Football) on: Jul 02, 2015

• My condolences to Bernie and the boys (whom I never had the pleasure of meeting). First met Bill in Romania in '92 working in Cernavoda on AECL project. He was my go to, cover my butt guy when me and Chuck took our weekend jaunts to the beach at Constanza on the Black Sea. He stayed behind to hold the fort. Next met him years later while he was at Crowflight in Waboden. Recently worked for 2 years with him at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. He will be missed. A good man. Never met his wife or kids but they always were mentioned in conversation. R.I.P. Mr. Zap (a fitting name for his profession). The Moth - Posted by: Larry Dale (Friend/Co-worker) on: Jul 01, 2015

• Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. For a few years after high school, we hung out a lot, going to the Charleswood for beers, driving to Pembina ND to "shop" during the 1976 beer strike, going fishing at the lake. I can recall many an afternoon listening to tunes on his dynamite stereo system, and like Bill I am a Johnny Winter fan. We also shared a liking for The Doors, Boston, AC/DC, and Bruce Springsteen. Bill was a big guy with a big heart. When his father passed away, Bill always looked out his mom and his brother Ron. You could tell he really cared for them. Bernie, Ron, and family please accept my condolences. - Posted by: Ken Kowalsky (friend) on: Jun 29, 2015

• Not sure what I'm going to write but here Go's nothing..... Dad, you are the one who taught me how to ride a bike and picked me up when I fell over, you taught me how to throw, catch and hit a baseball, how to read and understand football playbooks and throw and catch them also. Your the man who took us fishing, encouraged us in whatever we liked doing. Some of the best memories of my father are as follows: I remember being 7years old and dad and uncle Jamie took me to my first rock concert ( I still have the stub) Jon Cougar, I remember going to countless Winnpeg jets and Blue bomber games which usually followed by going to Chi Chi's or Boston Pizza on Pembina south many times. I remember we went to the very last Jets game in the old barn in '96 (still have the stub)where they lost in game 6 to Detroit, after the game all the fans went on the ice and I remember walking with my dad talking about how many legends we saw together play there. He was a Bruins fan so when Boston played my Flyers we would usually bug each other for fun. I remember dad travelling for work countless times and he would always have something cool for us kids and something nice for mum when he came home. Two more and very special ones to me are when my brother was about to get married to his wonderful wife Becky, he took all his boys out for dinner and told us how proud he was of us and proud to be our dad and how much he loved us all. That one hits me hard in the heart. I work in a bar called the Pyramid cabaret and one October a Few years ago Jonny winter was booked to play there.I talked to my boss and he said no problem I could have 4 guests. Immediately I called Dad and he said he was going to come, as well as uncle Erv ,Haybomb and Jon. My dad told me Jonny winter was the first concert he saw when he was 15 years old. Watching those four 50something year old grown men hoot and hollar like they were 15 again for one of their music Heros is a memory that I will cherish forever, sadly dad got called to work just as the show was ending and he never got to come and meet J.W, but when I showed him the picture I got ( and his records autographed) the smile and look on his face as well as the hug and handshake meant the world to me and always will! Rest in Peace Dad, love Mark! - Posted by: Mark Zsporzan (Oldest son) on: Jun 29, 2015

• Bernie, my heart goes out to you and your family at this time I do know how you feel after losing my Husband recently also.I love this poem and read it often I hope you do too. Although you can't be with me , we're never far apart. Until the final breath I take you'll be living in my Heart..... Thinking of you Karen - Posted by: Karen Care (Worked together at Woolco/Walmart) on: Jun 28, 2015

• Are thoughts and Prayers are with you Bernadette and your family. Bill will be greatly missed ... Hugs - Posted by: Mike and Leslie Slodianob (Friends) on: Jun 28, 2015

• I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Bill. He was kind and friendly to me. I really feel for you Bernie, Mark, Tony and Luke. - Posted by: Doreen Sigurdson (Family) on: Jun 27, 2015

• Dear Bernadette This is Carol's sister, I am so sorry for your loss; my deepest sympathies to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. - Posted by: Michele Hopkins (Former co-workerDear B) on: Jun 27, 2015