Mr. George Arthur Williams, aged 87 years, passed away unexpectedly after a short illness at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on 29 December 2022.
George was born on October 17, 1935 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, the eldest of the 5 children of George Williams and Bessie (Craig). During WW2 when his father was overseas with the Canadian Army, the family ran Hillside Beach Guest Resort and Ranch on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba during the summers and for many years after cottaged there.
After the War, his father became a teacher and the family lived in Beausejour, Portage La Prairie and the Metis community of Loon Straits in Northern Manitoba. George attended Santa Monica City College, Santa Monica, California for 2 years sponsored by his grandparents’ Quaker community there. He returned to Winnipeg to become an Appraiser with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation in 1959. He transferred with CMHC to Kingston, Ontario and then Thunder Bay in 1972, retiring in 1989.
A devoted husband to Jean, they celebrated their May 7, 61st wedding anniversary at their home in Sept 2021, with many family and friends in attendance.
George was an avid hunter, enjoyed travel and wintering in South Texas, rock collecting, lapidary and was a most enthusiastic birdwatcher. George loved building and spending time with his children and grandchildren at the family camp at Marks Lake near Thunder Bay, for many years. He was a member of First Church/First Wesley United Church, The Appraisal Institute of Canada, Thunder Bay Museum Historical Society, The Oddfellows Lodge and The Thunder Bay Field Naturalists in recent years.
George will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Marion Jean (English) Williams; children, Jennifer (Richard) Mortensen, Joseph S. Williams, Georgina Williams and George Craig (Blanca) Williams; grandchildren, Elizabeth Mortensen, Signe Jean (Lucas) Palamarek, Joseph A. Williams, Jonathon Williams and Joshua Williams. Also left to mourn has passing are his siblings; Harry (Kathy) Williams, Elizabeth Frost and Margaret Williams; Aunt Jean Oatway; sister in law Joan English; cherished nieces, nephews and many close cousins. He was predeceased by his father George, mother Bessie, step father Alex Guz and sister Norma in infancy.
The family would like to thank the staff of TBRHSC, Dr. Hartford and Patti, Dr. Bon and Dr. Haggarty for their wonderful care for George over the years.
A funeral service will take place Tuesday January 24, 2023 at 2 pm at Jenkens Funeral Home, 226 South Syndicate. Reverend Rob Smith will be officiating. Cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at a later date at Caron Cemetery, SK.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in George Arthur Williams’ memory to his favorite cause, the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, Nature Reserves Endowment fund (tbfn.net) or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
To watch the livestream of the service, please use the following link: https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/66666
