William "Bill" Watson

W.R.  (Bill) Watson

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad William Ralph (Billy) Watson.  He died at home on November 7, 2015 with his family by his side after a lengthy illness.

He leaves to mourn a family without an anchor-his bride and the love of his life Dianna (nee Gilroy), daughters Linda (David) and Laura (Graham) all of Portage; Granddaughters Cassandra (Brendan), Jamieson (Oti), Morgan and Mackenzie and great grandchildren Gavin, Leah and Brianna.  He also leaves to mourn his brothers Dick (Beryl) Watson of St. Albert, AB and Gordie (Shivan) Anderson of Shaunagan Lake, BC; brothers-in-law Paul (Anne Marie) Gilroy, Ernie (Wendy) Gilroy, sister-in-law Susan Gibson, his mother-in-law Pearleen Gilroy as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved so very much; he was so very proud to be your Uncle Billy and bragged about each of you and your accomplishments any chance he got.  He was predeceased by his Mother and Step Dad Walter Anderson, sisters Ruth Bailey and Marion Grantham, father-in-law Jack Gilroy, sister-in-law Gail Gilroy and brothers-in-law Bev Bailey, Randy Gibson and Derk Grantham.

Dad was born June 15, 1943 to Wilda (nee Bailey) and Sidney Watson and spent his early years in Bluff Creek, MB before moving with his family to Portage when he was seven.  He attended school at Prince Charles and PCI and after a brief stint in the army and then with a local bank, he went to work for the Portage Mutual where he remained for over 40 years until his retirement as Treasurer in 2006.  He made many lifelong friends there and was so proud to be part of the Mutual family.

Dad treasured his family-each of his girls knew always that we were loved and cared for.  His brothers and sisters in law were his brothers and sisters without distinction.  He was so happy to have shared his life with you and us-be it Bluff Creek, Poplar Point, Royal Lake, Florida, Big Point or the back yard-where he was wasn’t important, as long as he was with family and music was near.

Community was important to Dad too.  He was a proud member of MacKenzie United Church and volunteered with joy at his church on different committees such as personnel and building of the new sanctuary.  He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Services for Seniors, Rotary and various national accounting organizations over the years.  He was a past president of the Portage Chamber of Commerce when the Strawberry Festival and Trade Show were first introduced to the community.

Music soothed his soul and was his lifelong passion.  At a young age, with the help of his brother Derk, he taught himself to play bass guitar.  Together Dad and Derk played in bands for many years-first with Brooker’s Bombshells, then The New Imperials, The Over the Hill Gang and finally Two Plus Two before retiring from the music for hire gig.  He was honored every year to play in the church Cantata or whenever his friend Christine asked him to.  He made lifelong friends through music but he, Derk, Hans Carlson, Gerry Sanderson, and Scotty Bryce shared a very special bond as the “boys in the band.”  Their friendship endured for decades.  To say he had eclectic taste in music would be an understatement and after his hands would no longer allow him to play, he would  sit for hours listening to some of his all time favorites be it jazz, rock, blues or old tapes of him and his friends.

He enjoyed good food, good music and good company and when enjoying any or all of these would often lean back in his chair with a sigh and a smile say “ah this is nice isn’t it?”

He loved a good suit and a sharp tie, gardening, and travel.  He had a deep interest and respect for current events and politics and read several papers every day from cover to cover- much to our Mom’s dismay.  He was a fan of the Montreal Canadiens and New York Yankees.  He loved to learn and build things and with no special skill set, embarked to fix up the old houses we lived in.  His biggest undertaking was making a substantial addition to the family cottage, pretty much single handedly.  He loved his “cabinet” at Big Point and to have his family with him there, watching the lake or a sunset and sharing a laugh.

He was stubborn, a procrastinator, independent, and always right.  He was also sentimental, just, fair, kind, witty and wise.  He patiently watched as we made our way, making our share of mistakes but he was always there and ready to help pick up the pieces when we needed him.  He taught his daughters and granddaughters to ask questions, be kind, be good citizens and most importantly, to love good music, a good laugh, and each other.  We know we will miss him every day and though we are sad to have lost him now, we are glad his long struggle is over.

Dad and the rest of the family very much appreciated all the calls and visits in his illness and other acts of kindness that sometimes took our breath away.  We are incredibly blessed to have known and loved our Dad and that so many shared his life, illness and death with us.  Our thanks as well to the many home care attendants who entered our lives and our home to help us take care of our Dad these past few months.  We saw many of you look after him with much care, dignity and respect and for that we thank you.

Funeral Service will be held at McKenzie United Church, 85-11th St, NW, Portage la Prairie on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 1:00 pm.  Rev. Doctor Paul Gilroy and Rev. Marg Scott officiating.  Interment  to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to CFS Chance 2 Grow, 25 - 3rd St. S.E., Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 1N1, or to Habitat for Humanity,  234 Princess Ave., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0R1.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. 204-857-4021 ww.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com