BILL KIRKUP

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BILL KIRKUP

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of W.R. (Bill) Kirkup. Bill was born on April 14, 1934, and passed away at the Souris Personal Care Home on March 17, 2025 just days shy of his 91st birthday.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Sheila Kirkup (Saunderson), and their five sons and their families: Grant (Sandra), Dwight (Nancy), Dwayne (Maureen), Greig, and David. He also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Bill is also survived by brothers Bob (Lennie), Tom (Lorraine) Kirkup and sister Wilma Clifford, sister-in-law Carolyn Kirkup.

Bill was predeceased by his parents Eva and Cecil Kirkup, Sheila’s parents Bea and Cecil Saunderson, brother Jim Kirkup, sister-in-law Marie Kirkup and brothers-in-law Mel Clifford and Bob Saunderson.

Born and raised in Melita, Manitoba, Bill moved to Souris in 1953. Following his employment with the Manitoba Telephone System and the Canadian Pacific Railway, Bill joined the Monarch Life Insurance Company in 1958 and officially retired from the insurance business in 2022.

Bill and Sheila established Kirkup Agencies on Crescent Avenue in Souris, where Bill managed the insurance and investment side of the business while Sheila established Kirkup Travel.

In a career that spanned six decades, Bill was admired and respected by clients and colleagues alike. He built a remarkably successful career and was honored on numerous occasions for his productivity. Two of the highlights of his career were qualifying for a trip to Ireland in 1995 as one of eleven agents from across Canada and being chosen as a keynote speaker at an insurance convention in Australia in the mid-1970s.

Bill was always active in the Souris community. He served as a school board trustee, past president of the Souris Cougars AAA hockey club, and past Exalted Ruler of the Souris Elks Lodge, where he was a member for over 65 years.

One of Bill’s passions was baseball, and he served in many roles within the Manitoba Senior Baseball League. He was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000 and will be inducted as an honorary life member in June of this year.

Another passion of Bill's was hunting, which he enjoyed with his sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons. Bill loved his Labrador retrievers and raised and trained five throughout his life.

Bill’s legacy extends far beyond his family. He was not only a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather but also a cherished friend, mentor, and leader within the community. His passion for hunting, his joy in spending time with loved ones, and his unwavering commitment to the Souris community are a testament to the remarkable man he was.

Bill’s influence touched countless lives, fostering a sense of camaraderie, respect, and admiration that will endure for generations to come.

His spirit lives in the hearts of those who knew him, and his contributions have left an indelible mark on the community he so dearly loved.

The funeral was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris Manitoba Friday, April 11, 2025 – which would have been Bill and Sheila’s 72nd wedding anniversary.

Bill will rest in peace in the Souris and Glenwood Cemetery.

Kowalchuk’s Funeral Home, Souris in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 12, 2025