Obituary of William "Bill" James McClure

McCLURE: William (Bill) James McClure passed away at Rideau Park Personal Care Home, Brandon, Manitoba on Friday, April 26, 2013 at the age of 93. Bill was born near Goderich, Ontario on April 1, 1920. He was raised by his parents Georgina McClure (née Sproule) and William Henry McClure, Dungannon, Ontario. He met Elizabeth (Beth) Schoenhals and they were married August 30, 1941 in Clinton, ON. He joined the army and during WW2 he went to England as a dispatch rider with a tank division. It was there that he lost his left leg at the age of 22, a handicap that never slowed him down. He returned to Canada and after being fitted for an artificial leg he drove taxi and then got his projectionist license. They moved to Elmira were they raised their four boys Conrad, Bob, Bruce and Rick. He worked at the Rio Theatre until it closed. From there he worked for Mckee Bros. and various other farm machinery companies as a salesman and regional manager until his retirement in 1979. In all his years of selling farm equipment, the manure spreader was the only product he would not stand behind. We always enjoyed our family holidays, mainly camping and fishing. The 24th of May weekend each year was an annual trip to Lake Nippissing fishing. In 1964, they purchased a lake front cottage at Penetang that was enjoyed for many years by family and friends. Bill belonged to the Elmira Rod & Gun Club, the Elmira Legion & the War Amps of Canada. After retirement Bill and Beth purchased a Condo in Florida and enjoyed many winters down there. There they made many friends and ensured that the Condo stayed in the family so that others can continue to enjoy the area. In June 2009, they moved to Brandon, Manitoba. There they resided at Riverheights Terrace. After two years and a stay in the hospital, they were moved into Rideau Park Personal Care home. Bill is survived by his wife Beth. They were married 71 yrs. Also survived by sons Conrad (Shirley) McClure of Brandon, MB; Bob (JoAnn) McClure of Comox, BC; Bruce McClure of Drayton, ON and Rick (Debby) McClure of Courtenay, BC; grandchildren Cheryl (Don) Bryant of Brandon, MB; Liam McClure of Victoria, BC; Kathryn McClure of Vancouver, BC; Shannon McClure of Ottawa, ON; Matthew McClure of Kitchener, ON; Tyler McClure of Calgary, AB; Kelsey McClure of Comox, BC; Bryon McClure of Courtenay, BC; Jack McClure of Winnipeg, MB. Great grandchildren Courtney and Rhett Bryant of Brandon, MB. Bill was predeceased by both parents, Bill and Georgina McClure and sisters, Emily Finnigan, Winnifred Widcombe, and Loretta Hefford. Cremation has taken place and a "Celebration of his Life" will be held at a later date in Elmira, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The War Amps of Canada, 2827 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1V 0C4. We would like to thank all the nursing staff at Rideau Park for the wonderful care that "Dad" received while he was a resident there.