Obituaries

WILLIAM GARNET BURNS
September 30, 1930 ~ November 5, 2016
    On Saturday, November 5, 2016 William Burns (“Bill” or “Billy B” or “Burnsie”) of Winnipeg, Manitoba passed away at the age of 86 years, but we will always remember his feistiness and sense of humour.   On September 30, 1930 Bill was born in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. He was the youngest son of the late William Robert Burns and the late Olga Mathilda Burns (nee Nordrum). His siblings Alfred Norman and Carol Holm also predeceased him. Bill spent his childhood in Sioux Lookout and moved to Winnipeg as a teenager. The Manitoba Telephone System was Bill’s employer for approximately 40 years and through this work he also spent significant amounts of time in The Pas and Brandon, Manitoba.    Bill was an excellent athlete. He was deeply involved in the Manitoba skiing community, both as a skier and as a ski instructor. He played on the Brandon Cloverleafs baseball team. Bill’s team was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame on June 7, 1997. He used to frequent the Pine Ridge Golf Club. Bill remained a sports super-fan throughout his life, keenly following the Winnipeg Jets, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and the Toronto Blue Jays. While his body weakened in his final days, his enthusiasm for the 2016 World Series did not.   In addition to sports, Bill had many other loves. He loved his family. He loved books. He loved his cat, polo shirts, and following current events. Bill loved The View, especially Whoopi Goldberg’s wit, and CJOB. He loved After Eights, handfuls of nuts, breaded shrimp, and a good steak. He was engaged with the world. Bill talked a lot and he loved talking to people. He collected jokes. He used slogans. “Tough apples,” was one of his favorites. He had many opinions. Bill was grounded, direct, generous, and sensitive to a fault. He hated bad drivers and when people interrupted him. He was, at times, lovingly irascible.   In compliance with Bill’s wishes, no formal Funeral Service will be held. A private family gathering will take place.   In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name to your charity of choice are appreciated.   Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
We miss you. Love always, Kelly, Jeff, Nicky, Jaymes, and Pauline.