Obituaries

WILLIAM ELLIOTT APPLETON

May 16, 1936 – February 23, 2018

William Elliott Appleton passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, February 23, 2018, in Winnipeg, MB, at the age of 81 years.

Left to survive William are his daughters Kathy (Terry), Debbie (Willie); sons Robert, Terry (Sandy), Dave (Anabel), and Tim (Mara). He will be missed by his grandchildren, Jason (Jen), Cordella (Carlos), Tannis (Andrew), Shaylynn (Matt), Shawn (Melissa), Brian (Ning), Yoki, Adriana, Nicoletta (Alex), Adam, Jacquelyne, Brianne, Amber and great-grandchildren Dallas, Jordy, Abigail, Hannah, Aveary, Rylee, Aiden, Tylan, Rinda and Setsuna. He was predeceased by his parents Alec and Kathleen; brothers Alec and Donald; sister Margaret (Don); beloved wife Evelyn of 63 years of marriage; son Billy, and grandsons Taylor and Nicholas.

William was born in Toronto and left home as a young teenager to head to the east coast. On May 23, 1953 Dad enrolled in the Royal Canadian Artillery as a Gunner. A posting to Winnipeg led him to meet Mom at the local Normandy Dance Hall. A short time later, in August 1954, they were married and started their family. In 1956 Dad joined the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp., promoted to Corporal, and in 1958 was relocated with family to England to be the personal driver for General Kitchen. In 1960, Dad returned to Winnipeg for a short while before leaving for an unaccompanied tour in the Middle East. He was the Queen’s driver on four separate state tours, in 1967 driving HRH Prince Philip to the opening of the Pan Am Games and as a Sergeant during the 1970 Royal Tour of the NWT and Manitoba. In 1971 Dad was in a green suit and in 1972 he received his Warrant Officer and was posted to RCAF Station Armstrong as Transport Officer, in the 1973 he returned to CFB Winnipeg, still as an airman. In 1975 he was posted to CFB Beausejour for four years and in 1980 was posted to AIRCOM HQ Winnipeg, receiving his Master Warrant Officer. In 1981 he received his last posting to CFS Holberg as Station Transportation Officer. Dad, from Gunner in the RCA, to Master Warrant Officer in Air Command proudly, and dutifully, served his country for 35 ½ years ultimately ending his career with a perfect driving record.

In retirement Dad enjoyed the simple pleasure of time well spent camping and fishing in the early years and later in the Big Whiteshell where he and Mom had their cottage. The family enjoyed many great memories, fishing, swimming, blueberry picking, laughing, and relaxing. Dad was an avid woodworker, spending many hours making whirligigs and enjoying the local school children’s excitement as they walked by looking at them spin alongside the wind. He provided many made-with-love wooden treasures for friends and family from wood burl art pieces, end tables, to cradles and shelving for toys for his grandchildren. Over the cool winters he would experiment with soups, mastering Appleton family favourites such as ham and pea, hamburger, lentil and clam chowder.

A private service will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Lodge for their care, with special thanks to the nursing staff at the Grace General Hospital.

In lieu of flowers donations graciously accepted to the Veterans Emergency Transition Services at https://vetscanada.org/donate.php

Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com