WILLIAM (BILL) PHILIPS

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WILLIAM (BILL) PHILIPS We are deeply saddened to announce that on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, William (Bill) Philips, aged 86, died peacefully after a brief illness, encircled by his daughters and grandson. Bill was born June 10, 1930 in Winnipeg, third child of Harrison and Eliza (nee Riggall). Over 20 years younger than his brothers, Cliff and Bob, Bill grew up on Valour Road but was always a country boy at heart. He loved summers on his aunt and uncle's Lilyfield farm: the freedom of the wide open spaces, helping with harvest and later, adventures in mink farming. In fall, he and his brothers spent many happy days canoeing and hunting on Delta Marsh. As a young man, he worked for Canada Trust and it is there he met and courted the love of his life, Jane Grimble. They married in 1953 and moved to Gimli in 1964, to help run a family business, Philips Fashions. When the store closed, Bill did various jobs until enrolling at the Manitoba Institute of Technology (now Red River College), where he studied to become an electrician. He worked for Tact Electric in Lockport before becoming maintenance electrician at Calvert's distillery (now Diageo). In 1976, the family moved to an acreage five miles from Gimli. They kept horses and were founding members of the Lakeshore Light Horse Association, occasionally hosting small local horseshows in their own pasture. Bill rode until well past 80 and had horses until just a year ago. After Bill retired in 1993, he and Jane loved their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona, revelling in the fine weather, the desert landscape and a new group of good friends. Bill was a quiet man, an avid reader, a fan of country and western music, a loving father and devoted husband. He cared for his wife Jane for five years with extraordinary compassion and patience, allowing her to remain at home for all but 12 weeks of her final years. Bill was predeceased by his parents; his wife Jane and his brothers, Cliff and Bob and leaves to mourn his daughters, Sue Philips (Mike Cava), Jan Goddard (Dave Goddard), Elizabeth Philips (Doris Larson); grandchildren, Kaitlin Marowitch (Kyle Marowitch), Christopher Goddard and Jill Cava; special niece Carol Philips; sister-in-law Martha Innes; friends and extended family and his beloved dog Maggie. A celebration of Bill's life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, at the Gimli Lutheran Church. The family would like to thank the staff of the Selkirk hospital for their excellent care during Bill's final illness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Selkirk and District General Hospital or to a charity of your choice. Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 22, 2016