William Murray Wade

The family of William Murray Wade wish to share the passing of their father, grandfather and great-grand father. He died with courage and dignity at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg on November 5th, 2021 at the age of 92. We extend our deepest thanks to the wonderful staff in 3E who took such loving care of our dad. Murray’s beloved wife Christina, his parents, William and Bertha, his sisters Willa and Marjorie and his first-born child, Carol Ann, predeceased him.

He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his children and their spouses; Brenda and Bryan, Willa and David, Shawna and Morgan, John and Stacy, his six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, his sister-in-law Mrs. Hollis Stewart, his many nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, Richmond Garden neighbors and Trinity Baptist Church community.

Murray will be remembered as a kind, gracious and humble man who lived by the word of God in all of life’s joys and challenges. He governed his life by the grace he would say at every meal, “For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful...”.

William Murray was born March 8th, 1929 to Bertha Evelyn Wade (Turnbull) and William John Wade of Brandon, Manitoba. He was the youngest of three children.

For his high school years, Murray attended and lived in residence at St. John’s Ravenscourt in Winnipeg from 1944 and 1947. In his Grade 12 year, he graduated as school captain and was awarded the prestigious Bawlf medal for stewardship and helping those around him. He was a natural athlete and played on the rugby, hockey, cricket, and basketball teams. His nickname throughout his high school years was “Shady Wade”. He never told us why, but had a smile on his face, always the tease, always playing tricks or making jokes. His keen wit and dry sense of humour served him well in his life.

As a young man, Murray lived and worked in Brandon at the family lumberyard, “Wade & Sons”. He also worked on relatives’ farms in the Brandon area and did some work at northern lumber camps. He was always connected to the lumber industry. He could tell you the type of wood just by its smell. He took additional training and became an expert at grading lumber. He was hired to inspect lumber at mills, grade it and report on what it was best suited for. He was a skilled carpenter and craftsman; “measure twice, cut once”.

He and his Brandon family attended Brandon First Baptist Church, which was where he met his wife, Christina May Lints… singing in the choir. He was a rich baritone-bass while Chris was a lovely mezzo-alto, a perfect match. Murray and Chris were married in 1952 and moved to their forever home at 75 Bathgate Bay, in Winnipeg where they established their family; Carol Ann 1953, Brenda Maxine 1955, Willa Christine 1957, Shawna Elise 1958, and William John Alfred 1962. Murray and Chris attended Trinity Baptist Church upon moving to Winnipeg and made that Christian community an intrinsic part of their family life for 69 years.

Murray was employed as partner with the Scoville Timber Company. He was a member of the Lumbermen’s Association and a life member with the Manitoba Order of Odd Fellows. He served as a church deacon and sat on the board at Richmond Gardens where he and Chris lived. He was appreciated and valued for his wisdom, grace, humility and warm-hearted ways.

As an active Boy Scout Leader at his church for many years, Murray was dedicated to setting a positive example for the boys under his leadership. Many summers were given to Boy Scout camping trips in the Whiteshell. He truly enjoyed spending time in the woods, appreciating all of what nature taught about living a good and humble life.

After retirement, Murray helped care for his grandchildren whom he treasured: Carla, Wade, Alison, Christine, Sarah and William. Murray also enjoyed celebrating his great grandchildren; Avery, Ethan, Jack and Bryn. He spent many hours faithfully driving the children to and from school every day, including Laura Goodwin, Christine’s Montessori friend. “Hustle up...” he would say as he ushered kids into his car.

Murray and Christina were always in attendance at family recitals, choir concerts, church Christmas pageants, school musicals, horse shows, weddings and reunions.

Murray had a mischievous sense of humour, quick wit yet a calming disposition that was appreciated. He and Chris enjoyed getting together with family from Brandon, Carmen, Birtle, Decker, Miniota, Hamiota, Estevan, Edmonton, Toronto, Denver and California. They planned many family road trips to these places and beyond for reunions, Christmas visits and summer vacations. They’d load up the family station wagon and away they went.

Murray was a devoted Christian man who loved to sing in the church choir with his daughters, look after the church building and grounds, clean and maintain the historic pipe organ, work on home building projects, eat popcorn while watching sports on TV, play Bridge with the neighbours and chat with neighborhood dads while shovelling out his very long driveway after a winter’s storm.

He was a loving son, brother, schoolmate, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, neighbour and friend. His faith governed and sustained him in all of life’s trials and celebrations.

William Murray has left behind a wonderful legacy of love, dedication, kindness and resiliency. He would want us all to remember and apply to our own lives, just as he did….grace and humility in all things.

“For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful... and pardon our many sins.”

“I love you all...” Dad

A memorial service in Winnipeg and interment in Brandon will be postponed until late spring of 2022. Murray requested that it be on a “nice day”.

Donations in our dad’s memory may be made to his beloved church, Trinity Baptist Church, 549 Gertrude Ave Winnipeg, MB. R3L 0M9. If you would like more information on the service that will be held, Covid permitting, please email [email protected].