Obituary of William "Bill" John Fraser

FRASER: Mr. William (Bill) John Fraser, Bombardier (Ret'd), CD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the age of 81 in Brandon, MB. Bill was born in Truro, NS on May 4, 1931. In 1951, he began his military career of 33 years, and married Dorothy Eileen Dingle of Pugwash, NS, (Pre-deceased) for 57 years. He served five years in CFB Petawawa, ON and was posted to CFB Shilo, MB for the remainder of his career. Bill served extensively on UN tours in Germany, Cyprus and in the Middle East as PMC. In his responsibilities of being the Senior Steward at the Junior Ranks and Officer's Mess, Bill took great pride in his work and his experience excelled in organizing special functions for dignitaries, the most notable of these as having the honour of serving Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Lord Mount Baton. After retirement from the military in 1983, he spent the next 10 years working as Commissionaire in Shilo. Bill's hobbies included playing his fiddle, harmonica, electric organ and working on his treasure code. He also loved to play cards, tell stories and give people a chuckle over a good cup of tea. He is survived by two daughters: Joanne (Joseph) Pederson, Kingston, ON, Carolyn (Randal) Sedgwick, Wainwright, AB, and son William David of Brandon, MB; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Lillian MacDonald, Whitby, ON, and Shirley McKelvie, Scarborough, ON, and many nephews and nieces. In keeping with Bill's wishes, a private graveside service was held on Tuesday, 16 April, 2013. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to War Amps of Canada, at www.waramps.ca.