WILLIAM GEORGE SYME

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WILLIAM GEORGE SYME William was born April 8, 1917 to George and Mary Syme. Bill, as he was known, was the only son amongst three daughters in the young family. Bill developed a strong work ethic and a conviction to mankind at an early age and attacked his tasks and education with bravado and dignity. Bill became, amongst other things an accomplished violin player and a minor but enthusiastic flare for acting. In addition he had a keen interest in science and mathematics. Unfortunately his father passed away in a railway accident when Bill was only 17 years old, leaving him with three sisters a mother and a maiden aunt to fend for. But this did not slow him down. He graduated grade 12 in 1936 (in those days you had to pay for grade 12 a sum of 25 dollars) and began to work on the railroad. He worked his way through the different careers available in the CNR and retired the budget assistant for the entire western region of the CN. During his career with the railroad the Second World War broke out and like so many Canadians he volunteered. His choice was the Canadian Navy. He spent four years in this service including 411 days straight in the Berring Sea (the roughest seas on the planet) as well as service in the North Atlantic and through the Panama Canal. He was injured several times and avoided several transfers which led to disaster for some of his friends and colleagues. After several more careers after his early retirement from the CN at 55 he eventually had his final retirement from the work force when he was 86. One of his more cherished work was with his church (Mormon) running and organizing a welfare, food and relief program for the underprivileged for over ten years. Bill was a rock to his friends and family and eventually passed away at age 89 on July 26, 2006. He is survived by three children, George (Stella), Margaret (Roger), Robert (Heather); six grandchildren, Laurel (Ray), Terry, Lisa, Alex, Janet, Michael; and two great-grandchildren, Mykala and Rebecca. He will be deeply missed by family friends and all who knew him. William was laid to rest in Glen Eden Memorial Gardens on 4477 Main St. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Fund in his honour would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 05, 2006