In Memoriam
Through the years that the Air Cadet Program has functioned in Manitoba many individuals have provided numerous hours of their time to ensure the program has been available for our Air Cadets. Some have achieved significant influence on the program. They have passed on, accordingly in respect and in recognition of their many years and financial backing we have enclosed these short biographies.
NORRIS HOLLAND (WILLY) WILLIAMSON, CD
1927 - July 14, 2010
Willy Williamson was one of Manitoba's original Air Cadets serving with 82 Brandon Squadron until he joined the Air Force in 1943. His last posting in the Canadian Forces was as the Officer-in-Charge of the Manitoba/NW Ontario Cadet Detachment in Winnipeg. On retirement from the Canadian Forces in 1989, Willy became a Director with the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada. He was appointed a Life Member of the Manitoba Provincial Committee in 2004.
Norris Holland (Willy) Williamson passed away July 14, 2010 at the age of 83. Willy was born in Minnedosa, MB, the son of Roy and Gladys Williamson, grandson of Minnedosa homesteaders and leaves to remember him his wife Jean, daughter Norene Smiley (Greg), granddaughters Erin (Darrell Emma,and Amelia Grace born July 13, 2010) and Emma, son James (Laura), son Jon (Angela), and sister Norma Holbrook of Thunder Bay.
He attended school in Minnedosa and Brandon until 1943 when he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Second World War. He served continuously from 1943 until 1989, R.C.A.F., Inf. Para., R.C.A.S.C., CIntC Security Branch and ended as staff officer on the Regional Staff of Air Command Headquarters.
Over the years he had strong connections with the Cadet Leagues in Manitoba and N.W. Ontario and received honours from them for his services. Willy was a dedicated Legion worker. He has been a Director of the Air Cadet League and was a Life Member of The International Peace Garden. He was a Past President and Life Member of Stonewall Branch #52, Commander of District #5, 3rd, 2nd, 1st Vice President of Command and President of Manitoba and N.W. Ontario Command from 1997 to 1999.
He loved his family, his military service, his Royal Canadian Legion service and all the friends that these interests generated. Willy loved music, participating in festival and group singing. He played in three volunteer brass bands in his younger years. He derived great enjoyment from reading newspapers, non-fiction and for contrast, poetry. He married Jean (Simpson) in 1947 and recently celebrated their 63rd Anniversary. They had earlier attended school together in Brandon and lived all over Canada and Europe, settling in Stonewall, MB in 1977.
Farewell friends, the sails are set,
The wind is East, the moorings fret
Shadows long before me lie,
Beneath the ever-bending sky,
But islands lie behind the sun
That I shall raise ere all is done
Lands there are to West of West,
Where might is quiet and sleep is rest.
- J.R.R. Tolkien