NIGEL BARLING WILLS

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NIGEL BARLING WILLS

Peacefully, on Sunday, May 26, 2024, Nigel Barling Wills, aged 70 years, passed away at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre.

Nigel was born in Essex, England, on June 28, 1953, to Bill and Rose Wills.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 50 years, Cindy, his children, Michael (Angela), Brenda (Adrian), and Sean (Lindsay), and grandchildren, Brody, Bailey, Mikhaila, Makayla, Valentina, and Ethan. Nigel's quick wit, kindness, generosity, and positivity will be missed by many including his brothers, Stephen (Kath), Richard (Shelley), and Paul, his brother-in-law Martin (Pat) and beloved nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Nigel moved to Selkirk in 1957 when his family immigrated to Canada to start a new life and pursue new opportunities. He began working for Manitoba Hydro when he was 17 years old and retired 40 years later in 2010 from Manitoba Hydro International (MHI), a subsidiary that he helped to build and grow. He was pulled out of retirement twice to retake the helm of MHI while they sought a suitable successor. He loved his work and enjoyed helping others and sharing his knowledge and expertise in all corners of the globe. Nigel took great pride in the work of MHI and the positive impact he and the team had on energy systems in developing countries around the world. He continued to work as an independent contractor and finished his last consulting job in 2023.

Outside of work, Nigel liked to camp, canoe, fish, and build things. He built three beautiful family homes over the years in East Selkirk, Seven Sisters Falls, and the R.M. of Brokenhead. He loved spending time with his wife, family and friends at their lake property in Manigotagan - their "happy place". He was a very dedicated, supportive, hardworking, and loving husband, father and grandfather who provided sage advice and guidance when asked and was always very proud of his children and grandchildren's accomplishments. He was always up for a challenge or good debate, and was a positive influence in the lives of many. His strength, resilience, grace, optimism, and determination in the face of a very rare disease, MSA, that he had in his final years was truly remarkable and admirable. We will all miss his great sense of humour, his intellect, and his amazing ability to fix just about anything.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, MB. The service will be livestreamed on the Gilbart Funeral Home website.

Memorial donations in Nigel's name may be made to the Gordon Howard Centre, 384 Eveline St., Selkirk, MB, R1A 1N3.

Rest easy Captain, you've earned it.

Tributes: www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk

in care of arrangements

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 01, 2024, Jun 01, 2024