Arthur Willis

Arthur Willis, born on December 5, 1949, in Carberry, Manitoba, passed away with his wife Bonnie by his side on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the MacGregor Health Centre.

Art lived in Carberry with his family until he was 9 then moved to Worby to live with his Aunt and Uncle, Marg and Lloyd Willis. At 14 Art moved to Brandon to attend school.  From the age of 15, he dedicated himself to a career with the CPR, where he worked until he was 30 and served as a union steward. He later pursued a trade with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. He owned and operated a D6U Cat along with a mobile welding truck and a highway tractor trailer unit that gave him the opportunity to pass his skills on to his son.  He was happy to work long hours in the fields of his small hobby farm with his antique equipment. His life changed drastically after an accident on June 30th, 1992.

He spent his final years in Arizona, south of Austin Manitoba, where he found joy in the serenity of his farm and scenic drives through the Assiniboine Valley.

Arthur, affectionately known as "Arfie" in his youth, had a passion for hunting and snowmobiling, and he possessed a keen interest in all things mechanical. He had a need to know how things worked and a natural ability for fixing vehicles, including a prized 1948 Ford half-ton, outboards for bathtub races and an old school bus that he converted into a family camper.  Arthur was known for his quietly generous nature, cutting wit, and one liners leaving a lasting impression on those who knew him.

Arthur married Bonnie Rothwell on February 24, 1968, in Stonewall, Manitoba. He was predeceased by his parents Thelma and Charlie Willis, brothers Grant (Irene) and Kenny (Joan), sister Heather (Everett) Ray and by brother-in-law Wayne Rothwell.

Art is survived by his wife, Bonnie, son Darwin (Tammy) and daughter Jody (Mark), grandchildren Carter (Tiah), Parker, Colton and Alyssa, sisters Laurel Willis and Kathy (Larry) Penner and by sisters-in-law Maureen (Jim) Malcolm & Heather (Garry) Kowalski.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held in the Austin Community Hall on Friday, October 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations could be made to the Sidney Cemetery Memorial Fund, (make payable to the Municipality of North Norfolk), Box 190, MacGregor, MB, R0H 0R0 or to Sprucedale Industries Inc., Box 225, Austin, MB, R0H 0C0.

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