WILMER OWEN (BIM) SMITH

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WILMER OWEN (BIM) SMITH After a lengthy illness, and with much sorrow, we announce the passing of Wilmer Owen (Bim) Smith on August 28, 2013 at Portage General Hospital. He was born on January 17, 1922 on his beloved High Bluff area farm. He is predeceased by his patents, Robert Francis and Agnes Ethel (nee Brownridge) Smith; also by his two siblings, Leslie and Zoe, and his son, Randy (1948 to 1991). He is survived by wife Marjorie, daughter Myrna and husband Duncan Ross, and grandchildren, Kelly and Cameron. He was the favourite uncle of many beloved nieces and nephews. The family had lived on the farm north of Portage since the land was homesteaded by Bim's Grandfather, Thomas Smith. Thomas had walked out from Winnipeg to claim the homestead in 1871. Bim lived and worked on the farm most of his life. Growing up, one of Bim's responsibilities was opening Dale School year round. He tells of having to get up early enough to be at the school by 6:00 a.m. to start the fire in the winter to heat the building for the teacher and the rest of the students. He would read or clean the floors and blackboard waiting for the rest to arrive. Bim became very accomplished at his work on the farm and began competitively plowing when he was 16 years old, in 1938, with a walking plow behind a team of two or more horses. He enjoyed the competition and went on to compete in many Plowing Matches, becoming the Provincial and Western Canadian Champion on four occasions with his Case tractor and implements, now displayed at the Portage Museum. He became Canadian National Champion in 1970 in the Seniors Division. Bim served several times as competition organizer and judge in local matches. Bim met Marjorie Gwendolyn Elizabeth McMillan and they married in a double wedding with Marj's brother John McMillan and Phillis McMillan (Lay) on November 23, 1944. Together Bim and Marj farmed on the Century Farm at the MacDonald Cutoff and the Flee Island Road. They enjoyed dancing, bowling, and socializing. Bim enjoyed calling at square dances. Over the years Bim became involved in Slow Pitch and Liniment League Baseball, as well as golf. These activities were enjoyed in later years in winter escapes to Hawaii and Weslaco, TX. Bim was a fun loving individual, always smiling and offering a joke. He often said that "it was a darn poor day when you didn't learn something new" and always with a chuckle. The family would like to acknowledge the excellence of care Bim received on the Medical Ward at the Portage General Hospital. Your caring for all of us while Bim was in your care will always be appreciated. To all of the staff, thank you. It was Bim's wish that there would be no formal funeral. In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate that anyone interested could make a donation in Bim's memory to the Sunset Palliative Care Inc., P.O. Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3B2 or to a charity of their choice. Plowman The gate swings closed, the task is o'er, The furrows are all deep and straight; The Plowman smiles in honest pride, And slowly shuts the gate. Satisfied he wend his way To his home and evening's rest, And sleeps the sleep that comes alone To he who's done his best. Each task will end, each gate will swing, Each will go home to rest, And furrows left upon the field should say, He plowed his best. - Author Unknown - Arrangements entrusted to Ronald Moffit Memorial Services, Portage la Prairie.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 31, 2013