March 8, 1933 - September 24, 2010
William “Duke” King passed away at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital on Friday, September 24, 2010 with his family by his side.
Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bonnie Lynn, children David (Barbara) King, Russell (Gloria) King, Frances (Calvin) Harasemchuk and Charles (Marianne) King; grandsons Christopher (Jennifer) and William Harasemchuk, Robert King, Bryan (Amanda) King and Joshua and Ryan King and one granddaughter Kimberly (Daniel) King, and one great grandson Andrew Harasemchuk and his 2nd family, special nieces Barbara Sawchuk, Darlene Matthews and Colleen King.
He is also survived by his brothers Leonard King and Harold (Gloria) King and sisters Gracia Hawes, Marilyn King, Dorinda (Ole) Quedent and Bev (Sonny) Iverson and many nieces and nephews.
Bill took his final plane ride to be with family that passed before him, his parents John King and Annie Outen and step father Reg Outen, brother Clarence King, step sisters Eva Butts, Ethel St. Amour, sisters-in-law Mae King, Eva Mae Degroot and brothers-in- law Jack Hawes and Dave Hawes.
Thanks to Dr. Michelle Thomas for her ongoing care over the years.
The family would like to thank Gordon and Judy Day-Janz for their prayers and daily visits and special thanks to Dr. Beveridge and the 3rd floor east “Angels” and to Jan Landsiedel for their care in Bill’s final days.
Born in Kenora, Bill grew up in Lakeside attending Southward, Central and Lakewood Schools. He left high school in Grade 10, heading north to Confederation Lake to set up a trading post,trapping, commercial fishing and guiding at the tourist resort next door.
Bill married Bonnie in 1954 and took his new bride to Confederation Lake to live and help him run Confederation Post. They made a few side trips back to Kenora to bring family into the world. The Post burned down in December 1960 and Bill brought his family back home to Kenora and began commercial fishing on Lake of the Woods.
He was a longstanding member of NORCOM (Northwestern Ontario Commercial Fisherman’s Association) and was a three term President at the Moose Lodge.
Missing life on Confederation Lake, he returned there to trap in the winter and work at South Bay Lodge which he and Bonnie eventually bought in 1968.
In 1985, he decided to retire, sold the camp and returned to Kenora
full time. Bill’s idea of retirement included fishingand hunting and creating works of art in cabinetry and many
woodworking projects.
Papa loved to spend time with his grandchildren, fishing, building and passing on his wisdom and life lessons through his
stories of his own life. Family was all important to him and his love, generosity and sense of family extended to many. Bill would lend a hand, his heart or the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it and often did.
He will be missed by his friends and cohorts at the A&W/McDonald’s coffee clubs where the truth was only stretched a bit.
Husband, brother, dad, papa, Uncle Bill and friend, his laughter,
jokes, words of wisdom and tall tales will be missed by all who know him.
A Celebration of his Life will be held at the First Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
David and Barbara King invite family and friends to a potluck at their house, 60 Campbell Road to share memories of Bill after the service and luncheon. Bring your own refreshments and a lawn chair.
Donations to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be made atwww.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
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