William (Willie)’s Obituary
Willie passed away on Friday, September 17th, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
He leaves to mourn his wife, Gladys of 59 years; two daughters, Janice Allen (Reg), and Linda Reid-Collins (Samuel); one son, William Jr. (Kristi) Reid; four grandchildren, Edward Parsons (Jolene), Andrea Collins, Danielle Collins, and Izaac Reid; sisters, Julie Higdon and Florence Williams (Jasper); along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Willie was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Leah Reid of Dildo, NL; grandchild, Samuel K. Collins; brother, Elijah Reid; sisters, Lucy Reid, Lillian Thorne and Martha Smith; father and mother-in-law, George (Rachel) Day.
Willie, was born and raised in Dildo, Newfoundland and left home when he was 17 years old to peruse a career in teaching. At which time he also was active within the church by becoming a Lay-Reader for Sunday services, but his real passion would be to become a Radio Operator. To accomplish this, he obtained employment on the Newfoundland Railway better known as the “Newfie-Bullet” as a waiter. After going to school for this trade he obtained a 98% average on completion. Willie would go on to work as a Radio Operator for Transport Canada at Signals in Gander, Newfoundland. Along with the “Maned Radio Stations” in Corner Brook and Stephenville, NL.
Anything outdoors! He loved being out in boat and was an adamant fisherman who enjoyed tying his own flies. He loved to catch and have a good feed of rabbit. Willie would hunt in the fall of the year and loved to boil the kettle in the woods and have a boil up, but he really loved eating lobster, scallops and mussels. To wash all this great food down his choice of beverage was “Whisky” or “Beer”! These spirits made an ordinary event into a fun filled event. Everyone who knows Willie, knows how he could laugh and carry on! Let the fun begin…
Willie’s many accomplishments consisted of obtaining his drivers licence with only 4 miles of driving on a stick shift back in 1940; crossing the Arctic Circle in summer of 1961 as a Radio Operator aboard the “Sir John A. MacDonald,” an Icebreaker. He could send and receive and Morse Code. He was an active member of the Rod and Gun Club in Corner Brook (1970’s), The Masonic Lodge in Stephenville (1980’s) and The Lion’s Club in Dildo (1990). He completed 8 return trips driving across Canada, the first time in 1998 and the last time 2019. He built and fixed numerous campers. The last camper he completed building was 2021.
Cremation has taken place.
A service to celebrate Willie’s life will be held on Monday, September 27 from All Saint’s Anglican Church, Dildo and will be by invitation only. If you wish to attend this service please email Lindareidcollins2009@gmail.com with your name and phone number to be put on the list. Inurnment to follow at All Saint’s Anglican Cemetery, Dildo.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in William’s memory may be made to the Cancer Society support.cancer.ca/site/Donation2?df_id=20021&20021.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=zpy43ea5k1.app240b).
Arrangements entrusted to Warren’s Funeral Home, Dildo.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Willie Robert Reid September 17 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Swift-Current, Province: Saskatchewan