William John Black Mayrs

After a short but courageous battle with cancer, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William John Black Mayrs (Bill) at the age of 93 on June 24th. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife Nonnie (2011), his brothers Frank and David and his two sisters Margaret and Irene. He is survived by his brother Charlie; three children Karen (Allan) Wendy, Brian (Kim); grandchildren Cassina (Jason), Brodie, Mark (Laurel) and Amanda (LJ) and his great grandchildren Kaysen, Beckam, Zara, Violet and Willow.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on May 27th, 1932, Bill was the third child of six and the oldest of four boys born to William and Marjorie Mayrs. At the age of 15, the Mayrs family moved to Vancouver where Bill attended Magee High School and then furthered his education at the Vancouver School of Art (Scholarship Graduate). His three brothers followed Bill’s lead at Art School, and all became talented artists with their varied and unique styles. Bill’s talents as an artist were shown through many art shows where his work was displayed widely.

During his professional career, Bill worked for a number of Advertising Agencies in addition to being the publisher and editor of several magazines including Westworld and Interlude. He won a number of creative awards from the Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg Art Director Shows. He was the winner in the 1977 National Magazine Award held in Toronto; a three-time winner of the Travel Industry Association of Canada for the best provincial magazine in Canada. He also designed many company logos during his career, including the logo for the Pan American Games held in 1967 in Winnipeg. In 1982, he started his own advertising company, Mayrs Advertising, where he worked until his retirement in 1997.

Bill, along with his wife Nonnie were fortunate to explore the world while he wrote about his travels in his magazines. In 1991, they purchased a condo in San Jose Del Cabo, Baja, Mexico where they spent their retirement years. Even after Nonnie’s passing in 2011, Bill continued to spend his winters in sunny Baja.

Bill was loved by so many. His quick wit, his sharp intellect and his detailed story telling always made Bill the life of the party. He will be missed dearly, but there is comfort in knowing that he is now re-united with Nonnie, the love of his life.

Thank you to the staff at Lions Gate Hospital and North Shore Hospice for keeping Bill comfortable during his final days.

A celebration of Bill's wonderful life will take place at a later date.