WILLIAM WELLS

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WILLIAM (BILL) WELLS March 22, 1927 - April 12, 2016 We are sad to announce the passing of Bill Wells. A brief bout of pneumonia tipped the scales in his battle with COPD. Bill will be dearly missed by his wife Charlotte, daughter Valerie and son-in-law John Hastings, grandsons Evan and Alan and squads of nieces and nephews. A life-long Winnipegger, Bill was born in 1927. He made growing up in the Dirty Thirties seem like a lot of fun, although the grandkids can't believe he swam at a water hole on the Red. The army's doctors kept him from following his older brother Wilf into the services, but fortunately someone had to candle all those eggs that were to be dried for the war effort. He met telegrapher Charlotte Blair in 1954, and swept her off her feet with his glamorous automobile (she wanted to learn to drive, but came to love the man more than the machine). They were married in 1956, and recently had a wonderful 60th anniversary among family and friends. They settled happily in Transcona, with Bill commuting to his 46-year career at Western Savings & Loan (later Investor's Group). Bill was a long-time member of St. George's Transcona, serving as treasurer for many years. He helped sell a lot of flowers at the plant stand in support of their mission. He was a regular bowler at Chateau Lanes, and later transferred his wiles to bridge and crib. Travel was a special part of their life, including to visit Charlotte's family in Iowa and South Dakota; camping trips across much of North America, cruising the Great Lakes with Wilf and his wife Lorraine; St. Lucia with Valerie and niece Janice; Ireland and Martinique (stop staring, Bill!) with John and Valerie; casino excursions with sister-in-law Joyce and Rod Lindsay; and Myriad Lakes and ski resorts with Evan and Alan. Fond memories include summers at Pye's Landing and winters in Bonita Springs with sister-in-law Shirley Ferrier. A special shout-out to Bill and Charlotte's late niece Allison and her husband Barry Vokey, who provided enormous support to them during Bill's medical adventures. Proof that angels are among us. Thanks also to the staff at Park Manor Care Home (and pretty much every other medical facility in Winnipeg) for their kind care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill's name to St. George's Transcona (www.stgeorgesanglicantranscona.ca), to COPD Canada, The Lung Association of Manitoba (www.mb.lung.ca) or to a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. A funeral will be held at St. George's Transcona, 321 Pandora Ave. W, Winnipeg at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2016. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2016