William Joseph Kidd

William Joseph Kidd

1922 - 2013

It is with a great sense of loss that we announce the passing of our dad, William Joseph Kidd, on Wednesday, July 24th, at 91 years of age. He was born on June 12th, 1922 at Crandall, Manitoba. He was predeceased by his life-long partner, Edna; infant son, David; sisters Zina Kidd and Margaret Decker, and in-laws Gerald Decker, Elmer Ruchotzke, Bill Richards, and Edna's family overseas.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters Irene McCuaig and Dianne Dillabough (Stephen); grandchildren, Erin, Karen and Ronald; sister Fran, and sisters-in-law Jean and Marion.

Bill joined the RCAF in 1941 and served four and a half years, three of them overseas. He married his best gal, Edna, on August 11th, 1945 at Rowland's Gill, County Durham, England, and was honeymooning on VJ Day.

Returning home, he was employed at District Hardware Electric in Dryden. He and Edna moved to Kenora in 1953 where he worked for Eatons until 1961, when he opened his own business, "W. J. (Bill) Kidd's Radio and Television Service". He retired in 1987.

He was past president of The Lake of the Woods United Service Institute, chief instructor of 645 Kenora Lions Air Cadets squadron for six years, served six years on the Kenora Hydro Electric Commission , was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 12, past master of The Lake of the Woods Masonic Lodge #445, and past first principal of Golden Chapter #90 Royal Arch Masons. Bill was a life member of the New Horizons Seniors Centre and long time member of the Kenora Golf and Country Club. He and Edna played sixty-four different courses in six different countries. Bill cross-country skied into his late 70's. He attributed his longevity in part to the old adage that God does not deduct from man's time on earth the time spent fishing, and in part to the medicinal value of a wee dram of scotch.

To his family, he will be remembered as an enthusiastic learner who embraced new technology and emailed his family regularly; an appreciator of a good meal, particularly Edna's roast beef and Yorkshire puddings; a sharp shooting crokinole player, and an Aggrevation and Crud champ. He held the Kidd Family trophy for billiards and always looked forward to his Thursday afternoon pool games at the Senior Centre. Bill loved his early morning golf games and proudly boasted two holes in one. His woodworking allowed him to exercise his design skills and creativity. In his later years when travel was not possible, he loved to explore the world with his flight simulator.

Bill loved life and treasured family time. Hours spent fishing, exploring creeks and waterfalls, and enjoying shore lunches on Black Sturgeon and Lake of the Woods with his family were highlights.

Cremation has taken place. At his request, there will be a family farewell at the gravesite.

We invite friends and family to a celebration of Dad's life on Wednesday, July 31st, from 2-4 at the Minis Hall at the Super 8 Motel.

Dad loved watching a seagull soar. The last thing he wrote to us was, "I will return as a seagull whose singular beauty and superb flying ability have always been a source of pleasure and fascination."

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation, the CNIB, or Handi Transit would be greatly appreciated.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

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