WILLIAM JAMES ODGER

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WILLIAM JAMES ODGER William (Bill) passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Johnson Memorial Hospital, at the age of 86 following a lengthy illness. He will be sadly missed by his daughter Lynn Odger, Kevin Paradis, granddaughter Allison Odger, Oscar and Dewey, sisters Lorraine Burnby and Joyce (Ken) Schmid. Bill was predeceased by his wife Sigurveig (December 15, 2004). They spent 57 happy years together. He was recently predeceased by his son Patrick Odger (April 5, 2012), also predeceased by his brother-in-law John Arason (July 2009) and sister-in-law Ag Arason in 1987. Bill was born June 1, 1925, in Winnipeg where he grew up. At the age of 18, he joined the Navy where he served during the Second World War until the end of the war. He returned to Winnipeg where he married Sigurveig Arason of Husavik, Manitoba. He resumed his machinist apprenticeship at C.P.R., where he worked for 43 years. Together they raised their two children in Winnipeg, Bill and his family enjoyed many weekends and summers in Husavik at the family cottage. Bill had many interests which included building, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and swimming. He was a Red Cross swimming instructor and volunteered his time teaching swimming to many children including Boy Scouts. Bill also volunteered time coaching hockey and baseball in his neighborhood community club in North Kildonan. Bill retired from the C.P.R. at the age of 60 to his cottage in Husavik, he and his wife started to travel which included an extended trip to Australia and New Zealand with sister Lorraine and her husband Don. They also spent several winters in Mesa, Arizona. Bill enjoyed his property in Husavik and spent many hours tending to his Shangri la. Following a stroke in 2007, Bill fought to stay home to remain independent. Reluctantly his illness forced him into the hospital in January 2012. His final struggle was the sudden passing of his son Patrick in April 2012. No formal funeral service will be held. Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. 338-0331 Condolences may be sent to www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 26, 2012