WILLIAM (BILL) BIHUN

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WILLIAM (BILL) BIHUN July 20, 1926 December 10, 2011 Peacefully in his sleep, our husband, dad, grandpa and friend died at Riverview Health Centre. Bill led a full and productive life. He was born at Ethelbert, Manitoba, grew up at Mink Creek and then nearby Gilbert Plains on the edge of Riding Mountain Nation Park. At 16, he left home and moved to the city. During the war in 1944, he joined the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. In Winnipeg, Bill met Isobel Wallace and they were married in 1948. Bill leaves to mourn, his wife, Isobel; daughter, Brenda (Bill Blaikie) and her children, Rebecca, Jessica, Daniel (Janelle) and Tessa Blaikie; son David Bihun (Anita Huppe) and his children, Jennifer, Erin and Hannah Bihun. Bill came from a large family. He was predeceased by five brothers and one sister. Also surviving him are his sisters, Alice Stutt and Natalie Spiers; his brother, Alec Bihun and many nieces and nephews. Bill enjoyed life whether it was as a Cub Leader with 3rd Transcona, a St. John's Ambulance Volunteer, a proud member and recording secretary of Local 142, CB of RT and GW, a Legion member, a Transcona Pipe Band parent and grandparent, or a chauffeur to Isobel, his kids or his grandkids. When David and Brenda were young the family loved to camp, later there was a trailer at West Hawk Lake, and later still, the cabin at Lester Beach. Bill was an avid berry picker and knew about trees, plants and mushrooms. He also loved to garden and the family feasted on home grown vegetables. He composted before it was cool and stored produce in a root cellar in the backyard. Bill was frugal but generous. Travel was also a great source of pleasure. Bill and Isobel took many wonderful trips together. He always loved a joke and was forever amusing us all with his stories or cartoons he cut from the paper. Bill could fix or build just about anything. He mended our clothes, untangled our jewelry, and built railings for our decks and shelves for our room. After his retirement from the C.N.R., he enjoyed helping out at David's shop most weekday mornings right up until less than a week before he died. Bill was devoted to his seven grandchildren. He was proud of them and enjoyed touting their accomplishments to all his friends. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and we will all miss him very much. Thank you to the people at Palliative Care, CancerCare and the staff at Riverview. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Avenue W., with Reverend Carol Fletcher officiating. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Transcona Legion Branch #7 or to the Memorial Fund of Transcona Memorial United Church. Glen Eden Funeral Home 338-7111 www.gleneden-mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2011