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Bill MacDiarmid

Image by Nick Andréka

WILLIAM (BILL)
JAMES MACDIARMID

June 2, 1947 – February 6, 2023

It is with profound sadness that we announce Bill MacDiarmid’s passing, peacefully with family by his side, on Monday, February 6, 2023.

 

Bill is survived by wife Ruth Allen, daughters Dana Maindonald (Daniel) and Lauren MacDiarmid whom he raised with their mother Linda MacDiarmid, and beloved grandchildren Archie, Clara and Parker. He will be remembered and deeply missed by family and friends.

 

Born June 2, 1947, the first of five children to Bill and Wynn MacDiarmid, Bill grew up in Woodhaven, a small and cozy neighbourhood where help was just a knock away if needed. Siblings Don, Anne, Jean and Archie joined the family in the years that followed.

 

Bill joined the Winnipeg Police Service in 1969. He served in several Divisions, attained the rank of Sergeant, and made many lifelong friends.  After retiring in 1996, Bill headed west to British Columbia for a much-anticipated life of leisure and instead, secured himself a second career in security and gaming compliance with BC Lotteries.

 

The pull of family was stronger than Bill’s dislike of snow and he returned to Winnipeg in 2006.

Bill was generous with his time and skills and volunteered with Winnipeg Humane Society as a kitten foster parent, the University of Winnipeg as a Language Partner, Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba, Grace Hospice, and Ronald McDonald House Manitoba.

 

A character with a quick dry wit, Bill always had a one liner at the ready and could tell a story like no one else.

 

Bill treasured time with loved ones especially at the family cabin at Star Lake, an island haven where countless projects were planned and executed, crosswords completed and sunrise coffees consumed.

 

Bill was eternally curious about the world around him and travelled extensively with Ruth to destinations including Germany, Israel and Spain and was delighted to escape Winnipeg winters with her to Arizona and Victoria.

 

For the care they provided to him in his time of need, Bill’s family extends gratitude to the staff at HSC GD6 and the MICU.

 

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road (Unitarian Church).

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba or the Winnipeg Humane Society, two charities close to Bill’s heart.

 

Bill’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Richard 'Dick' Hickling

May 7, 2023 at 2:28 PM

It was in the late 1990’s when Ron Kushneryk and I boarded a ferry to Vancouver Island and met with Bill MacDiarmid at the B.C. Legislative Bldg., where he was a Security Officer.  Our visit with Bill included lunch at the VIP dining room mingling with the political elite.  A memory I won’t forget, other than what we ate there, obviously whatever it was it would have to be delicious.  Ron advised me that Bill passed sadly due to cancer.   A friendly man of many talents… one of the good guys. Respectfully, Dick Hickling  

Brent Wynnyk

February 22, 2023 at 11:52 AM

I was saddened to read of Bill's passing. I first met Bill in 1986 when I was assigned to the back office in District 6. This was my first plainclothes assignment and Bill was my partner. Bill could be a man of few or many words but what I appreciated immediately was his dry sense of humour. I fondly remember coming in for 3rd relief shifts and only 2 words came from Bill...Red Top. We had many great conversations over dinner about police work and life in general. Although we only worked together for 6 months I learned a great deal from Bill. We would catch up over coffee every now an then until his retirement.  My condolences to Bill's family. Another kind and generous man good too soon. 

Mike Hatcher

February 19, 2023 at 3:34 PM

We were saddened and shocked to hear of Bill’s passing. Saddened because he was a good friend, and shocked because we were expecting to meet up with him and Ruth in Victoria for walks and dinners, in just a couple more weeks. I met Bill in 1981 when he was a detective at the Winnipeg Police Service, and we worked together on a few cases, and again later in our careers when we were both assigned to District 6. But I only got to know Bill well after we both retired, and happened to be living in Vancouver. By coincidence one of Bill’s investigations at BC Lotteries was connected to one at my workplace, so we got together for a beer to catch up. We found that we both liked the outdoors, and that began a campaign of mountain hiking that saw him summit all the peaks of the North Shore range: Mount Seymour, Lynn Peak, Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, the West Lion and the Squamish Chief. Quite the accomplishment.  He also led a small group of hikers that explored the Whistler area, and trails on the Golden Ears near Maple Ridge. Just before one Labour Day he called me to ask if I could fill in a spot at a softball tournament he was entering a team in. I agreed, and while lining up for a hamburger afterwards I met the love of my own life. Juanita had already known Bill for several years, so he truly was a mutual friend, and I always thanked him for us getting together. Bill and Ruth enjoyed their winters in Arizona, and we met up with them in Phoenix and Casa Grande, and then this continued when they began wintering in Victoria. We enjoyed our walks along Dallas Road and around the Inner Harbour, with Bill pointing out different locations from the time he spent living in that city. We will miss Bill, and we send our condolences to Ruth, Don, Dana, Lauren, and the rest of the family for one of the good ones, gone too soon. Mike and Juanita Hatcher 

Ron Lucas

February 19, 2023 at 10:53 AM

We are so sorry to here of Bill’s sudden passing.our sincere condolences to the MacDiarmid family.I also was privileged to grow up at the Star Lake island retreat.One story I remember Bill was digging quite a deep hole got their septic system Bill would put a radio at the top of the hole and it would be quite loud He told me he does this so the garter snake wouldn’t fall on top of him.I also remember the Bell ringing at the church camp and when Bill and I went to ring the bell Bill already was running away before I even rang the bell.Again we are totally shocked and saddened to here of the news of Bill’s passing.  Ron&SheilaLucas

Gary Carson

February 19, 2023 at 10:47 AM

Brandi and I are so sad to hear of Bill's passing. Bill and I first worked together in the Winnipeg Police Department Downtown uniform Division 11 in 1994.  Bill retired in 1996 and moved to BC where he began working for Lotteries.  We lost track of each other until a day in 2011 when I was at the Grace Hospital visiting my father who was dying of cancer. There was Bill volunteering helping a disabled senior walking with him down the hallway.  Bill spent quite a bit of time visiting with my Dad until my Dad passed away in 2012. Bill and I reconnected and we became great friends. We would get together for breakfasts, or coffee or the occasional beer and talk about the old days.  Bill had a great sense of humor. Bill was such a great man. He volunteered at The Grace Hospital Palliative Care and Ronald McDonald House for several years. Bill was a dedicated and excellent Police Officer. It is so hard to believe he is gone.  Brandi and I send our sincere condolences to Bill's wife Ruth and Bill's brother Don and his wife Lois and Bill's entire family and friends. Rest in Peace Bill.       

Ron Kushneryk

February 18, 2023 at 4:23 PM

It made me very sad to hear of Bill’s passing.   We worked together for many years in the Winnipeg Police Service and we became good friends.    He had quite a sense of  humor at times.   Bill had a very kind heart and he will be missed.  Condolences to Bill’s brother, Don and the rest of Bill’s family. Ron Kushneryk

Wayne Lucas

February 18, 2023 at 1:16 PM

I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing.  What fantastic childhood memories I have regarding the Island Haven of Star Lake.  We, the Lucas family, were neighbours.  How fortunate that our parents had the foresight to purchase a lot and build a cabin.  The island was one big playground for all the kids.  Paths were worn bare by us running back and forth between cabins.  Some nights we would walk all the way down the dark and lonely gravel road to West Hawk Lake.  We would tell stories and all stick together in the middle of the road.  Who knows what would have happened if a bear did come out of the woods.  We would toss small stones up in the air and watch the bats swoop down thinking they would be a nice treat.   Sometimes we would all head out on our skiffs and row over to the church camp.  There we would plot ringing the Bell.  It was Bill and my turn to ring the bell and the others were at the ready for the fast get away in the skiffs.  We rang the bell and ran back as fast as we could to the beach.  Bill tripped on a log and did a swan dive onto the sandy beach.  He was up and running so fast that one had to really think if that really happened.  We did get away but Bill and his get away driver had to hide behind a dock as search lights were trying to catch us.  You could always tell when Bill went for a swim.  There were always two splashes.  The first was Bill throwing in a rock to scare away the snapping turtles.  The second was him jumping in where that rock landed.  Thank you Bill for being a participant in one of my wonderful childhood memories.  And thankyou to all the MacDiarmids for these wonderful memories.  To Bill's family please accept our condolences.  He was well liked, respecte and loved.  Who could ask for more.  May he rest in peace with the Angels Wayne and Norma Lucas
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Ethical Death Care (Death Care Services Inc.) is privately, independently, and locally owned. Shane Neufeld and the original team of Integrity Death Care own and manage this organisation.

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