WILLIAM (BILL) EDMUND LAMBERT

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WILLIAM (BILL) EDMUND LAMBERT April 5, 1932 - November 18, 2014 Bill Lambert passed away peacefully at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, MB on November 18, 2014. Bill was predeceased by his sister Bertha, his infant siblings Bolcha and Walter, his infant daughter Mary, as well as his granddaughter, Cathy-Jo Harrison. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Anne, his children Rob (Darla), George (Lisa), Marcie (Cal) Harrison and Cathy (Rudi) Wierckx, his grandchildren Erin, Jodi, Tara, Troy, Amy, Sarah, Jenny, Ryan and Keith, his great-granddaughter Hannah, as well as a loving extended family of siblings, nieces and nephews. Bill was born on April 5, 1932, the eighth of 13 children born to Walter and Julianna (Osika) Lambert, on the family farm near Wynyard, SK. Bill spent his childhood working on the farm doing typical farm chores such as feeding and milking cows, cutting and splitting wood, working with the horses and helping to hay, seed, cultivate and thresh the fields. Growing up, Bill's Sundays were spent making the six mile trip to Wishart Church by either horse and buggy or sleigh in the winter, visiting family and friends on the trip home. His free time was spent playing hockey or baseball or one of Bill's favourite card games, Troika, with family and neighbours. At the age of eight, speaking only Polish, Bill started attending Rushville School. He quickly mastered the English language and went on to become an honour student and eventually to receive his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He began his career as an Agricultural Representative with the Manitoba Government in Arborg, MB. While there, Bill met Anne Colson who was the public health nurse in Arborg. They were married October 28, 1961 in Winnipeg, MB. After living in Beausejour, MB for a few years Bill, Anne and their four children moved to Shoal Lake, MB in 1972 where Bill worked as an Agricultural Representative. Bill was on town council, helped establish a new rink in Shoal Lake, coached his sons' hockey teams, tended his lawn and garden, took the family camping, and worked on projects in and around the house. The eventual arrival of grandchildren brought him great joy and he always looked forward to their visits. In 2004, Bill and Anne moved to Hamiota, MB to downsize and be closer to family. Here Bill filled his hours tending to his garden, watching his granddaughters' hockey games, working on crossword puzzles and cheering on the Saskatchewan Roughriders from the comfort of his home. In 2013, Bill and Anne moved to Winnipeg to be closer to family as well as closer to a wider range of health care. Bill enjoyed this past year living at The Boulton Retirement Community where he had a chance to meet new people and spread his love for conversation and wit. During the past 18 months, Bill's health declined. His faith, strength and commitment to family came into play and he bounced back from numerous hospital stays. However, on November 18, 2014 Bill passed away peacefully at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg. Bill will always be remembered by those who loved him for his strong faith, his sense of humour, analytical intellect, his outgoing personality and his generosity. His twinkling smile will be sorely missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2014