Bill was born on a farm in the MacNutt, Saskatchewan district on February 21, 1930, and was the first of nine children born to Mary and John Savliuk. In 1932, the family moved to the farm in the Blue Wing District of Manitoba.

Bill only attended school until Grade four as he was called to work on the land with his Dad. He did remember one winter day when a snowball was thrown at the teacher and he was blamed for it, and a strap soon followed. Having been raised to be polite, he thanked the teacher for the strap, and as a result received a few extra lashes.

At the age of fifteen, Bill started his first paying job off the farm; working in a bush camp north of Roblin for six months. As money was scarce, he didn’t have warm clothes to wear and as a result he suffered health problems all his life. Unfortunately, before getting paid, the company went broke and he received a cross cut saw in payment for his work.

Bill also worked in the grocery department at Eaton’s in Calgary and Dauphin, worked on the construction of the Wilson Bridge by Dauphin, worked in a bakery in Kamsack with his Uncle John and at the post office during the Christmas rush in Calgary. City life was not for Bill and he was called back to take over the family farm in the Blue Wing District. It was here he was the happiest, in the peacefulness of the bush. Bill had a mixed farming operation with grain, cattle, pigs and chickens. There was always a dog on the farm and he made things easy by naming all but one dog “Skipper”.

In his younger years he was always well dressed with a suit and tie and hair slicked back with brill cream. He attended many dances and would pay his sister Arlene a nickel to shine his shoes to finish off the look.

Bill was a real collector. He liked his cars, anything miniature, flash lights, cameras, bottles, etc.

He was a faithful member of St. George’s Romanian Orthodox Church in Blue Wing and St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church in Shell Valley. At Christmas, Bill would participate in the pageant EROD by playing a Wiseman and visiting church families around the countryside. He was very proud of his Romanian heritage.

Bill also was a member of the hospital board in Roblin and was recognized for his many years of service.

He was a very generous man. If he saw someone in need of assistance, he would give them the clothes off his back. He enjoyed joking with the girls in the stores and would give them coffee money.

Bill loved to meet people and he always asked their name and where they were from. By the time he came home from the store with his three apples or having coffee he knew who was related to whom.

In the past few years Bill was not able to get out as much as he liked. He always appreciated when friends and family would drop by for a visit. These visits would always perk him up and we want to thank you for coming by the house.

Bill was determined not to move from the house and he was able to do this only because of the devotion of brother Nick and sister Lil. They were kind enough to come from Calgary, for many years, three months at a time, to help run the household. Bill didn’t know how lucky he was that they were willing to do this for him. The family would like to thank both Nick and Lil as we know it had some challenges. Bill entered Roblin District Health Centre on October 7, 2014 and died at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre on October 18, 2014.

Bill is survived by: his sister Doris (Harvey) Quinn of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, sister Lil Webber of Calgary, sister Pearl Symington of Calgary, brother Nick Savliuk of Calgary, sister Elizabeth (Tom) Antony of Yorkton, sister Martha (Ron) Waddell of Yorkton, sister Arlene (Allan) Lucas of Fort McMurray, Alberta as well as many nieces, nephews, godchildren, aunts, uncle, cousins and close friends.

Bill was predeceased by: his parents Mary and John Savliuk, infant sister Virginia, brother-in-law Ron Webber and many extended family members.

Prayer Vigil Service was held on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 7:00 PM from the Chapel of Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home in Roblin.

Bill’s Funeral Service was held on Thursday, October 23, 2914 at 10:00 AM from St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church, Shell Valley, Manitoba, with Rev. Fr. Orest Olekshy officiating assisted by the Cantors, Rev. Deacon Ken Gaber, Rodney Flunder and the Romanian Orthodox Choir. Bill’s niece, Debbie Quinn, delivered the Eulogy. Cross Bearer was Gerald Gorda and Banner Bearers were George Flunder and John Keeper. Bell Ringer was Ted Ungurain. Casket Bearers were Brian Onofriechuk, Brian Prokopetz, Brad Galatiuk, Bob Chewka, Blaine Barker and Ed Georgetts.

Following the Interment Service at St. John The Baptist Parish Cemetery, a Memorial Reception was held at the Chapel of Nairn-Chyz Funeral Home.

In the winter of nineteen thirty

The first born of nine did come.

John and Mary called him William

Known as Bill to more than some.

He always loved the country life

And did not leave it for too long

Far away from all the cities

Was where his soul was strong.

He never had the luck

Or success like lots of farmers.

A kind man to land and animals

Unlike so many of the farmers.

He enjoyed most people’s company

All the laughter and the smiles

To get that fun from people

He’d often drive for miles.

Brother, son and uncle

A good person and great friend

We do want more time with him

Now that we see the end.

We all wish he had less loneliness

The love of a good wife

To have helped him through the struggles

We all endure in life.

Now he’ll lay with Mom and Dad

And rest till God brings heaven

No longer a man walking the fields

Each weekday of the seven.

What we’ll have now are memories

Of all times we shared back then

You are forever in our hearts Bill

Until we meet again.

- Vince Symington, nephew

NAIRN-CHYZ FUNERAL HOME

Entrusted with Arrangements

Roblin’s Only Locally Owned

and Family Operated Funeral Home

(204) 937-2111

nairn-chyzfuneralhome.com

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