WILLIAM “BILL” EARL BASISTY

It is with heavy hearts and much love that we mourn the passing of a William “Bill” Earl Basisty on the 29th of May 2024 at the age of 64 years.

Bill was survived by his brother Robert “Bob”; children Candice (Eden), Jonathan (Allison) and Darla (Kota); his grandchildren, Kaden, Mason, Kaeden, Jackson, Bryler, Lachlan, Liam, Maja and Vincent; his former spouse Heather.

He is reunited with his mother Stella, father William and many uncles and aunties with whom he cherished.

Bill was born is Winnipeg, Manitoba on the 26th of October 1959. He was the first-born son of his loving parents William and Stella Basisty. Followed by a younger brother Bob.

Bobs nick name for his brother W.E. Safisty (My big Bro). Bill and Bob had a strong bond, standing strong together in adversity in the streets of the North End. Not shy to take a hit, or give 2 or maybe 3 back. They were most likely found together chasing a superball to the other end of the city, swimming in the red river or trying to pet large cats up a tree that turn out to be a Lynx that had escaped from the zoo. Leaving it up to others to decide if its fact or fiction, no one could doubt the love for his little brother.

Bill got his brute strength and sense of spontaneity from his father. Traits that would take him on different adventures throughout his life. Taught to “smell the flowers” while travelling across Canada just because they felt like it when they woke up that morning. But also learning the value of using something old to make something new. Finding usefulness in what you have instead of what you don’t. A lesson we can all learn from.

His mother held his heart, and because of this she passed onto him the most valuable gene. Bills heart was strong and large and when he loved you it was with everything. That is the way he was loved by his mother. Just before his death he found out his mother had left a note inside a leather pouch. It read “Lord keep my sons safe in this life journey.” This is one of many things that have been found written by her to God about her sons.

Bill loved his parents and brother fiercely. With a protective nature built into his core he carried his family in his heart and would do anything to protect them.

In the summer of 1994 Bill married Heather. They had two children together. Although their marriage did not last the test of time. Both tried to make sure their children were loved. Making sure that even in their separation the chose to put their kids first. In the end, Heather was by his side doing anything she could to help. Bill cared and respected her for her strength and appreciated everything that she did.

Anyone that knew Bill or not would always hear how proud he was of his children. Bill was not shy to brag about his children’s achievements whether they were big or small.

His eldest Candice moved away to live in another continent at an early age to start her family. He was always supportive of her choice even though he knew she would be so far away. He knew she was happy and that is all that mattered.

His son Jonathan (Boy) is an apple that doesn’t fall far from the tree. He raised him to be strong, fair, loving and was a huge influence on how he is as a father himself. Bill would coach his sports teams when he was younger and would thrive in watching his son excel. He was so proud of the father his son had become, and that will forever fortify throughout his life.

His youngest daughter Darla was brought into his life a lot later. Finding each other after many years, starting their relationship from a simple message on the internet. Although he was not there in her childhood years, he was so proud of the strong and capable mother and woman she had become.

Bill is also the grandpa to 9 grandchildren. 8 boys and 1 girl. All equally loved and slapped. He took pride in the way his family was fashioned. Bill welcomed all with open arms and made sure all knew they were special.

Bills working life consisted of a lot of hard manual labour. He was a concreter, an iron worker, and many things in between. The consensus across all his roles is that he was good at everything he tried. He had a way of making everything his own and had an intelligence to not only do, but to lead in everything he did.

“Jack of all trades and master of none” does not apply to Bill. He became the master of everything he did.

One of his jobs stands out more than the rest. Bill took a role as a youth worker. This would be his most impactful time in his career. A quote from one of his colleagues says it best. “I worked with Bill at Macdonald Youth Services, and I always looked forward to coming into work and working with him. He was a true professional. He was calm, caring, smart, funny..., like a favorite uncle you could hear stories from all day. The youth loved when Bill was around, and I will admit, so did the staff. You always knew you were going to have a safe and fun shift when Bill was around.”

Growing up in the North End of Winnipeg of Aboriginal/Ukrainian decent, he had to fight his way through life at times. On one side he came from an indigenous background where the colour of his skin determined how he was treated. On the other was an immigrant family that fought to get out of a war-torn country to see a better life. The combination of the two, although hard, was the skeleton on which a strong Human being would be moulded. A stubborn nature, a large heart, and the character to be admired.

It goes without saying that, at the end of his life Bill fought as hard as he could and didn’t choose to give up. His family and friends will forever hold him in their hearts and take his life as a lesson to be who you are without caring what anyone thinks of you.

“One thing I will never forget about you is, you never cared what people thought, if you didn’t like something or someone, you had the balls to say it. Grandpa you are a person that will stick with me forever. Here or not, you have always been there for me and made me proud. Now it’s mine to make you proud. I love you with everything I have and ever will. You have made my life what it is today and will be tomorrow. Rest in peace and fly high.” – Mason Basisty

The family will not be holding a funeral service. They have decided that they would like to have a private ceremony with immediate family.

Bills family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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