WILLIAM BELL

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WILLIAM BELL March 12, 1917 - March 12, 2013 Peacefully, on his 96th birthday, surrounded by his wife, Nada, and loving family, dad passed away at the Concordia Hospital. Bill is survived by his wife, Nada, of 67 years; son Bill (Nenita), and son Dennis (Marleen); grandchildren Angela, Sheri (Keiko), Paul, Adrian (Janellyn) and Alvin (Rochel); and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents William and Rachel, sisters Rachel and Isabel, and brothers John and Gordon. Bill was born on March 12, 1917, in Winnipeg, Manitoba and spent his childhood years in central Winnipeg. Some of dad's fondest memories as a child were as a member of the Riverside Boys Swim Club, having their clubhouse on the banks of the Red River, and diving off the Redwood Bridge. Dad was active in Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and was a boxing member of the OBU (Old Boxing Union). In 1933 he won the Golden Gloves. As a result of the Great Depression dad left school early to help with family finances. He spoke often of leaving home at 16 to go to British Columbia to be a lumberjack. On September 13, 1939, upon the outbreak of the Second World War, dad, his brother Gordon, and all of his childhood friends enlisted with the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the first regiment to become active. Dad served in Jamaica and Bermuda guarding prisoners of war. He had many great memories of the islands and spoke of them often. When the Grenadiers returned to Winnipeg they immediately prepared for a new assignment. As part of "C Force" they joined the Royal Rifles of Canada and headed for Hong Kong on October 25, 1941. After a valiant and courageous battle, in which dad was wounded three times, he and brother Gordon were taken prisoner-of-war by the Japanese on Christmas Day 1941. Dad spent 44 months in captivity in Hong Kong and Japan. These experiences were shared with the "Love of his Life" his wife Nada, whom he met upon his return home to Winnipeg. Within two and a half months of meeting each other they were married on January 18, 1946, and spent 67 wonderful years together. Mom and Dad moved to Bannerman Avenue where most of their neighbours were Winnipeg Grenadiers. They continued to live there for 67 years where sons Bill Jr. and Dennis were born and raised, and the grandchildren visited often. Dad loved babysitting his grandchildren, as well as the family pets. He loved doing his own repairs, tinkering in the garage, and working in the yard. Mom and dad loved to travel, and visited Hawaii, Palm Springs, England, and Europe to name just a few. Dad was employed with Winnipeg Hydro until his retirement in 1976. Dad was a proud member of the Duke of Kent Legion and the Hong Kong Veterans Association. He was the recipient of numerous military medals, the Minister of Veteran's Affairs Commendation, and most recently, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was honoured to be closely connected with his fellow Hong Kong Veterans, no braver men ever were! Dad, we can only imagine the reunion that is taking place in Heaven right now! A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted for: The Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association P.O. Box 381, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2H6 http://www.hkvca.ca/donations.htm Free The Children 233 Carlton Street, Toronto, ON M5A 2L2 http://www.freethechildren.com/donate/ NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 16, 2013