BLAIR: The death of William James "Bill" Blair, beloved husband of Marilynn, father of Sean, Erin and Joel, occurred suddenly in Brandon on July 10, 2006. A private graveside service will be held at the Madford Cemetery with a Memorial Service to be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North, on Friday, July 14, 2006 at 2:00 pm. The Rev. Barbara Jardine and Mr. Lawrence McInnes will officiate. Donations in memory of Bill may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society - Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 2B7. Complete obituary information will follow. Expressions of Sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.


BLAIR: The death of William James "Bill" Blair, beloved husband of Marilynn, father of Sean, Erin and Joel, occurred suddenly in Brandon on July 10, 2006. Bill was raised on the family farm one mile east and one mile north of Douglas, Manitoba. He received his education at Derry School and Elton Collegiate. In 1967, Bill joined the accounting firm of Donovan and Stone in Brandon as a student in accounting. He eventually became involved in the income tax preparation business. He managed the U & R Brandon office for several years and bought the Brandon franchise in December1993. U & R was bought by Liberty Tax Services and Bill continued his business with this organization. Under his leadership and guidance his offices placed in the top standings across Canada for each tax season. Bill enjoyed his work very much. He was able to combine his love of numbers with his friendship for his clients-his friends. The friendship of his clients was first and foremost with him. He enjoyed visiting with each and everyone. He especially enjoyed visiting with his farming clients when he could talk crops, equipment, yields and of course, the weather. His clients "his friends" found him very personable in his dealings with them. He was an avid curler in his younger days and was very proud to be appointed commissioner of the Simplot Super League of Curling in the 1980's. He volunteered as a driver for Team Alberta during the Labatt Brier held in Brandon, 1982. Bill also volunteered for the Winter Canada Games in 1979, and the World Curling Championships both held in Brandon. Bill served as manager for the Brandon Club Men's fastball team for several years. He belonged to the Masonic order and was a member of Lodge #19 serving as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1998. He was a member of the Holy Royal Arch Keystone #5. Bill was received, admitted and constituted a noble in the Shrine. Grand Master Bob McMullen appointed Bill to the office of Junior Grand Deacon in the Grand Lodge of Manitoba 1998 - 1999. Bill loved old time music, trains, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne movies. He enjoyed traveling and had made business trips to Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Niagara Falls. Bill and Marilynn travelled to Seattle, Washington where they saw a major league baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees, to South Padre Island in Texas and Las Vegas. Bill was predeceased by his mother Anne Blair in January 1996 and father Wallace Blair in November 1996. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife of thirty-eight years Marilynn (nee Papineau); sons Sean (Carrie) and Joel (Jennifer); daughter Erin Brown (Greg). He is also survived by the loves of his life, grandson Jeremy Hicks; granddaughters Molly and Lucy MacPherson-Blair; sister Beverly Graham (Barry); brothers Wayne (Andrea) and David and aunt Marjorie Olmstead. A private graveside service was held at the Madford Cemetery. Bill's wish to be buried with his mother was fulfilled. He is resting safe in her arms. The Memorial Service was held at Memories Chapel on Friday, July 14, 2006 with the Rev. Barbara Jardine and Mr. Lawrence McInnes officiating. Donations in memory of Bill may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society - Manitoba Division, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 2B7. Expressions of Sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.
At Rest, Dear Soul


Cards of Thanks
William James Blair
The family of William James "Bill" Blair wishes to express sincere thanks and appreciation for the many cards, messages of sympathy, floral tributes, food gifts, and donations to the Canadian Cancer Society received on the sudden passing of Bill. Thank you to Doctors Thena Uys, Darlene Smith, Noah Butler, and Noah Carpenter for their care during Bill's stay in the hospital. Thank you to Taja Longstrup for her support of Bill and his family during his hospital stay. Thank you to Vern Schneider of Memories Chapel for his guidance in planning the memorial service. A most sincere thank you to Rev. Barbara Jardine for her meaningful and comforting services. Thank you to Lawrence McInnes for reading the eulogy for the family and for reading the heartfelt messages from Sean, Erin, and Joel to their dad. Bill would have been so pleased with the attendance of so many friends and family as his service. He would have wanted to visit with each and every one of you.
With sincere thanks
Marilynn Blair, Sean and Carrie, Molly and Lucy MacPherson-Blair, Erin and Greg Brown, Jeremy Hicks, Joel and Jennifer BlairMemorials
Canadian Cancer Society