BILL WEIR

1944 - 2011

William “Bill” Richard Weir of Winkler, Manitoba (long time resident of Bow Island), beloved husband of Laina Weir went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 15 at the age of 66 years. He was predeceased by his first wife Bev Weir (nee Peterson) on May 21, 2004.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Evangelical Free Church, 214 - 4 Avenue West, Bow Island on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Evangelical Free Church, 214 - 4 Avenue West, Bow Island on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. A private burial to follow at the Bow Island Cemetery.
Bill is the loving father of Kristene (Norris) Hirch of Bow Island, Jerry (Bonnie) Weir of Osoyoos, British Columbia, Tammy (Koos) Wysbeek of Lethbridge and Bonnie (Andrew) Payne of Carman, Manitoba. Stepfather to Jesse (Diane) Pittsley of USA, Christa (Mark) Hansen of USA. Grandpa will be greatly missed by Melissa (Kyle) Vasselin, Mandy (Alvin) Bueckert, Matthew Hirch, Marcus Hirch, Micheal (Tammy) Weir, Amber (Rob) Parks, Alicia Fletcher, Cordell Bannerman, Brianne Weir, Austin Weir, Jackie Wysbeek, Justin Wysbeek, Bryce (Sarah) VanGaalen, Danielle (Ryan) Keith, Tiffany Payne, Hannah Payne, Chasey Pittsley, Sam Pittsley and five great grandchildren. Also left to cherish his memory are his parents Robert (Bob) and Dorothy Weir, siblings Jim (Phylis) Weir, Roy Weir and Merrilyn Strom; in-laws Helen Peterson and family, John and Ellen Hinklin and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was born on September 12, 1944 to parents Robert and Dorothy Weir. He received his schooling in Bow Island. On May 8, 1968 he married Beverley Jane Peterson of Taber. Bill worked on the oil rigs which moved the family into Saskatchewan and throughout Alberta. In the late 1960's he obtained his Pilot's License in which he enjoyed many hours of flying in his Cessna 172. In 1972 the family resided in Bow Island taking over the family farm. In 1980 Bill became partners with Gary Johnson, forming Johnson and Weir Welding and Machining in Bow Island. Fifteen years later Bill and Bev proudly established their own business, Island Sand and Gravel. After Bev’s passing, Bill married Laina Hill of Adams, Wisconsin on May 5, 2006. Soon afterwards Bill retired and they moved to Reinfeld, Manitoba and later bought a second home in Adams, Wisconsin. During these past five years Bill and Laina have enjoyed gardening, travelling and visiting family. Bill will always be remembered by his passion for Christ; his kind and gentle spirit; and his "wheeling and dealing" which evolved from his enjoyment of auction sales. Through Bill’s struggle with Parkinson’s Disease for the past nineteen years he faced many challenges but his positive attitude helped him adjust to each one without a complaint.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Bill’s name may be made directly to the Evangelical Free Church, Box 8, Bow Island, Alberta T0K OGO. The proceeds will go to the drilling of water wells in Haiti, a passion of Bill’s for many years.