William Royal Russell De La Mare

In Loving Memory of

William De La Mare

1917 - 2013

William Royal Russell De La Mare, age 96 years, passed away peacefully at the Roblin District Health Centre on Monday, October 14, 2013. 

William was born in the RM of Shell River to James Withall and Ethel (Russell) De La Mare. His birthplace was just a short distance east of where he began his farming career and lived for many years. At only one year of age, his family moved to Russell. It took a few years but his family built their home and dray service in Inglis and moved there in 1923.

Bill took all his education in Inglis and even remembers helping with the construction of the elevators. Then, in 1934 at the age of seventeen, he and his older brother Jim ventured back to Roblin. For the price of paying the land taxes, he bought his first half section of land. This property has been the De La Mare land ever since. 

In 1940, Bill was called for military service training for World War ll. He completed his training in Portage, but was needed back on the farm, so he never saw action.  He felt that that his time in training was one of his favourite times, as he met many new people and was taught discipline and order.

On June 11, 1943, he married Lyla Roberta Watson, the lovely farm girl from just down the road! Their wonderful life was shared together for almost sixty-eight years until Lyla passed away on May 29, 2011. In 1949, they were blessed with a son when Ronald William was born, and then with their daughter Gail Ruth in 1962. 

Bill’s life was filled with many great experiences, and he could always be heard telling a good joke or sharing a story. These stories of years gone by, prompted his like for collecting antiques such as jars, insulators, clocks, bells, farm tools and household gadgets. He loved checking out auction sales for a piece of the past.  In his later years, he commented that Lyla was the best antique he had ever found!

Besides grain farming and raising cattle, Bill was a school bus driver for over 40 years! He started off with the Goose Lake Consolidated School District when each driver had to buy and maintain their own school buses. Then he continued driving for the Intermountain School Division when he was in his 70’s. His determination and quest for the right to drive a school bus past the age of 65, took him to the Human Rights Commission.  He won this precedent- setting case and was granted the opportunity to continue driving a school bus.

Bill was well known in the community as the friendly guy that you called for mulching gardens or digging post holes. Many businesses in the town of Roblin, and farmers in the local municipalities relied on him, and he always completed these tasks in an efficient and timely manner.

Playing pool was definitely one of Bill’s most enjoyable pastimes. Back in the days when the streets of Roblin were booming on Saturday nights, Bill could be found in the local pool hall. Later he enjoyed afternoon pool at the Drop In Center. He had many who wanted to be his partner, but few who wanted to be his opponent!

Hearing the words, “Sweep! Sweep harder!”, certainly let everyone at the rink know that Bill De La Mare was on the curling ice.  The winning skip of many bonspiels, he loved this sport and was given a life time membership to the Roblin Curling Club in 1969. In the early days, each curler had to bring their own curling rocks to the rink, and Bill was very proud of what his rocks could do. His many trophies and curling awards were always displayed with pride!  He was also given the honour of throwing the first rock in the new Roblin Curling Rink. Bill also appreciated a good game of cards! Bill and Lyla spent many evenings playing cribbage together or attending card parties to play whist.

Bill sat on the Board of Directors at the Drop In Centre for several years and was a life time member. He also loved BINGO! He was the famed caller at the Curling Rink Bingos and also at the Drop In Centre. Then he became a regular player at the Maple Manor Bingo games.

Bill’s major passion was coin collecting. He started at a young age when his great aunt gave him a coin from her change, and he has been collecting coins ever since! No matter where he went or what he did, he was always looking at coins! All of his children, grand children and great grand children would present him with coins so he could check them out and maybe find something unique or valuable. His mission for collecting coins took him to the Roblin Elementary School.  For years he volunteered his time to look over and roll all the coins collected from the drink machines and canteen sales. Although he was doing them a favour, he thought he was the lucky one and had lots of fun. On his ninety-sixth birthday on October 5, he was given a container of coins and a coin book.  Just laying the coins out on the hospital tray and then referencing them in the coin book, brought him hours of happiness. 

In the fall of 2009, Bill and Lyla moved to Maple Manor. Although it was difficult for him to lose his lifelong partner in 2011, he continued on with the activities in the Manor. He attended several events of the Roblin Centennial Celebration in July and especially enjoyed seeing the Snowbirds!

Surviving to cherish Bill’s many years of memories are: son Ron (Linda) De La Mare of Boggy Creek, Manitoba, daughter Gail (Kevin) Beernaert of Hartney, Manitoba; grandchildren Wendy O’Grady of Roblin, J.R. (Erin Waggoner) De La Mare of Roblin, Rick De La Mare of Brandon, Manitoba, Sandee De La Mare (Darcy Warcup) of Roblin, Irish De La Mare of Roblin, Karis Beernaert of Brandon and Nathan Beernaert of Hartney; great grand children Fiona, Mallory, Chance, Zachery, Kyra, Ryder, Declan, Tristyn, and Raistlin; brother Wilfred (Irene) De La Mare of Langley B.C. and sister-in-law Lorna Mireau of Saskatoon.

Bill was predeceased by his parents J.W. and Ethel De La Mare, his sisters Mary De La Mare, Ruth Vinthers and Lucy O’Neill, his brothers Robert, Jim, and Joe De La Mare.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, October 19, 2013, 2:00 PM at Roblin Knox United Church with Reverend Mark Hammond officiating.  The Interment Service was held at Roblin District Cemetery.  The eulogy was delivered by grandson Nathan Beernaert and great grandson Chance McGinnis De La Mare. The organist, Allison Shearer-Craig, led Knox United Church Choir and the congregation in singing the hymns “The Old Rugged Cross”, “Amazing Grace”, and “How Great Thou Art”.

Following the Funeral Service, a reception was held in the Knox United Church Hall, hosted by the United Church Lunch Committee.

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

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