Mr. William Robert Watson

William Robert Watson

September 18, 1928 –October 18, 2013

With his family by his side, Bill Watson, at the age of 85, passed away peacefully at the LOTW hospital on Oct. 18, 2013.

He is survived by his five daughters: Judy Thorburn of Red Deer, Ab. and her children Amber Keita, Angel Bontje (John) and Bethany; Louise Berube (Doug Momatek) and her son Ryan (Stacey) of Kenora and their children Abby and Cohen; Betty Harding (Kevin Bozyk) and her children Miranda, Tyler and Cayley of Alberta; Leslie Watson (Paul Dupas) of Balmertown Ontario and her children Brenden Kaiser of Kenora and his children Eve, Ella, Raine, Oliver and Emma; Jenilee Kaiser (Ray Sasines) of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and their children, Leyna and Willa; Elisa Hug (Victor) and their children, Courtney, Auston and Sam. Bill is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was predeceased by Laura, his wife of 59 years, in 2011; his brother Joseph Watson, his sister Betty Tocher and his parents Robert and Wilhelmina Watson.

Bill was born on September 18, 1928 in Beausejour, Mb and moved to Kenora at the tender age of 3 after the death of his mother. He was taken in by his aunt and uncle, Henry and Ann Herbacz where he grew up on the family farm. He was a small boy who quickly learned how to defend himself and gained the nickname Wipper Billy Watson, which stuck with him to this day. At the age of 16 he began his first job as a scale clerk at a German prisoner of war camp at Clarkton Junction near Sioux Lookout. It was at this time in his life he met Laura Therrien. In 1946 Bill and Leo Herbacz ran a horse riding stable at the farm and Laura would often refuse to date him because he smelt like a “horse”. In 1951 Bill fulfilled his dream of becoming a lumberjack working as a logger scaling wood in Beardmore.

Bill and Laura were married on June 10th, 1952 in a quaint Catholic Church in the hamlet of McIntosh Ontario and spent their honeymoon in a quiet log cabin on Forest Lake.

Bill’s final job was at the local paper mill where he reached the dizzying heights of “Milwright Forman”. He stood up for his fellow workers and they respected and loved him for his dedication to his work, which is still talked about to this day.

Bill retired from the mill in 1988 but didn’t slow down. He joined ranks with his brother-in-law Norm Thierrien and they spent the next 25 years cutting wood and working in Norm’s shop constructing rustic pine furniture. He was also an avid hunter, angler and guide and spent many an early morning practicing his golf swing at the Beauty Bay course. You would also find Bill tending his amazing garden, and the bountiful annual harvest would not only feed his family, but all his friends and neighbours as well.

He was a faithful member of the Notre Dame Catholic Church and Sir Bill devoted 65 years of his life to the Knights of Columbus reaching 4th Degree.

Bill and Laura kept a neighbourhood watch in their last years from their living room window in front of a never ending array of difficult puzzles, waving to everyone who drove by. The 82 year legacy of Bill Watson making a life for him and his family on Transmitter Road is now over, but his gentle, loving nature will carry on in the hearts of all his neighbours young and old.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bowerman and the second floor acute are for staff assisting in his care.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the charity of their choice.

A Celebration of Bill’s life will take place at the Notre Dame Catholic Church on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Rudy Manaloto officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

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