Obituary for Donald Gordon MacWilliam
MacWilliam, Donald Gordon
February 26, 1932 – January 6, 2021
Don passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the age of 88. He was predeceased by his wife, Leila MacWilliam (nee Skjeie) in 2016, and is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Cathy Driedger and Wendy MacWilliam; his grandchildren, Karleigh Driedger and Kelton Driedger; his sister-in-law, Iris (Doug) Clark; his sister-in-law, Helen (Gordon) Blair; and brother-in-law, Jack (Sharon) Skjeie. He was predeceased by his brothers, Beverly (Lil) Clark and Doug (Iris) Clark; sisters, Helen (Don) MacMillan, Kathleen (Warren) Benedict, and Dorothy (Merle) Darroch, and sister-in-law, Barb (Russ) Browell. He is also lovingly remembered by many close nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many friends.
Don was born in Brandon, Manitoba to Millie (Conley) and Alexander MacWilliam. Don spent the first years of his life in Brandon, then the family moved around a bit, living in: Broderick, SK, Royalties, AB, Calgary, AB and Creston, BC. Don was orphaned at an early age: Don was 11 years old when his father passed away suddenly from appendicitis, and 13 years old when his mother passed away from kidney cancer. Don then went to live with his second cousins on his mother’s side of the family – on the Clark family farm in Delisle, Saskatchewan. He was accepted into the family by the parents Will and Jessie Clark, and their children (sisters Dorothy, Kathleen, Helen and brothers Beverly and Doug), who from then on became his siblings.
Don graduated high school in Delisle and it was while living in Delisle that he met Leila at a dance. They were married on August 28, 1954, moving to Calgary in 1957. In 1958 they were off to Edmonton, where Don attended U of A; first in Engineering, then graduating in Commerce, in 1960.
While living in Edmonton, Don joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, and was a First Class Accounts Officer from 1959-1961.
Don and Leila moved back to Calgary in 1960, after he finished university. Don started work as an Accountant for White Trucks, and then in 1969 joined McKay Pontiac Buick, Ltd, as Secretary Comptroller, which is where he worked until his retirement in 1997.
Don was community minded, and one highlight was being granted Honorary membership in the Girl Guides Association for all the support he gave to the organization over the years. Don also belonged to the Al Azhar Shriners, a division of the International Shriners fraternity, in the Mounted Patrol Unit. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge of Alberta, receiving his 50 year Jewel in January 2017. His faith was important to him, and he was an active member of Southwood United Church, where he was a member of the board that spearheaded the idea for a Senior’s Residence, with Nixon Manor as the outcome.
Don had many interests but loved all things western and he especially loved to attend the Calgary Stampede in his cowboy hat and boots. Don also loved to garden, and his yard tending was legendary. The grandkids remember many happy hours spent digging in the dirt with grandpa, planting flowers and vegetables.
Don and Leila were married for almost 62 years, and during that time they enjoyed family and friends to the fullest. Dancing with friends, family game nights on Saturdays, having friends over for dinner and cards, family car rides all over Southern Alberta, attending Robbie Burns Day dinners, family parties in the backyard, including the epic Zero Parties, and skiing with Cathy and Wendy, were all high on the enjoyment list. Although he was not a scratch golfer, Don loved to get out on the links whenever he could. Christmas was a special time, and the Clark Family Christmases became infamous. Even this past Christmas Don was wondering how he could get a Santa suit to wear to hand out presents!
Travel was also a love, and Don and Leila created many memories together. Traveling with the Shriners, the Mounted Patrol competed in International competitions held in the USA. They traveled to Hong Kong through General Motors, to Johannesburg, South Africa (to visit the grandkids), a Caribbean cruise, trips to the States to visit friends as well as back to school shopping for Cathy and Wendy, and many camping trips with extended family.
Don will be remembered for his interest in family history, his love of all things western and being a whiz at math calculations in his head!
Due to COVID-19, a simple Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Burnsland Cemetery. Once we are allowed to gather in large groups again, we will hold a Celebration of Life for Don.
For anyone wishing to make a donation in Don’s memory, please consider donating
to the Shriners Hospital for Children, an organization that Don believed in and supported.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Don, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
February 26, 1932 – January 6, 2021
Don passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at the age of 88. He was predeceased by his wife, Leila MacWilliam (nee Skjeie) in 2016, and is lovingly remembered by his daughters, Cathy Driedger and Wendy MacWilliam; his grandchildren, Karleigh Driedger and Kelton Driedger; his sister-in-law, Iris (Doug) Clark; his sister-in-law, Helen (Gordon) Blair; and brother-in-law, Jack (Sharon) Skjeie. He was predeceased by his brothers, Beverly (Lil) Clark and Doug (Iris) Clark; sisters, Helen (Don) MacMillan, Kathleen (Warren) Benedict, and Dorothy (Merle) Darroch, and sister-in-law, Barb (Russ) Browell. He is also lovingly remembered by many close nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and many friends.
Don was born in Brandon, Manitoba to Millie (Conley) and Alexander MacWilliam. Don spent the first years of his life in Brandon, then the family moved around a bit, living in: Broderick, SK, Royalties, AB, Calgary, AB and Creston, BC. Don was orphaned at an early age: Don was 11 years old when his father passed away suddenly from appendicitis, and 13 years old when his mother passed away from kidney cancer. Don then went to live with his second cousins on his mother’s side of the family – on the Clark family farm in Delisle, Saskatchewan. He was accepted into the family by the parents Will and Jessie Clark, and their children (sisters Dorothy, Kathleen, Helen and brothers Beverly and Doug), who from then on became his siblings.
Don graduated high school in Delisle and it was while living in Delisle that he met Leila at a dance. They were married on August 28, 1954, moving to Calgary in 1957. In 1958 they were off to Edmonton, where Don attended U of A; first in Engineering, then graduating in Commerce, in 1960.
While living in Edmonton, Don joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, and was a First Class Accounts Officer from 1959-1961.
Don and Leila moved back to Calgary in 1960, after he finished university. Don started work as an Accountant for White Trucks, and then in 1969 joined McKay Pontiac Buick, Ltd, as Secretary Comptroller, which is where he worked until his retirement in 1997.
Don was community minded, and one highlight was being granted Honorary membership in the Girl Guides Association for all the support he gave to the organization over the years. Don also belonged to the Al Azhar Shriners, a division of the International Shriners fraternity, in the Mounted Patrol Unit. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge of Alberta, receiving his 50 year Jewel in January 2017. His faith was important to him, and he was an active member of Southwood United Church, where he was a member of the board that spearheaded the idea for a Senior’s Residence, with Nixon Manor as the outcome.
Don had many interests but loved all things western and he especially loved to attend the Calgary Stampede in his cowboy hat and boots. Don also loved to garden, and his yard tending was legendary. The grandkids remember many happy hours spent digging in the dirt with grandpa, planting flowers and vegetables.
Don and Leila were married for almost 62 years, and during that time they enjoyed family and friends to the fullest. Dancing with friends, family game nights on Saturdays, having friends over for dinner and cards, family car rides all over Southern Alberta, attending Robbie Burns Day dinners, family parties in the backyard, including the epic Zero Parties, and skiing with Cathy and Wendy, were all high on the enjoyment list. Although he was not a scratch golfer, Don loved to get out on the links whenever he could. Christmas was a special time, and the Clark Family Christmases became infamous. Even this past Christmas Don was wondering how he could get a Santa suit to wear to hand out presents!
Travel was also a love, and Don and Leila created many memories together. Traveling with the Shriners, the Mounted Patrol competed in International competitions held in the USA. They traveled to Hong Kong through General Motors, to Johannesburg, South Africa (to visit the grandkids), a Caribbean cruise, trips to the States to visit friends as well as back to school shopping for Cathy and Wendy, and many camping trips with extended family.
Don will be remembered for his interest in family history, his love of all things western and being a whiz at math calculations in his head!
Due to COVID-19, a simple Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at Burnsland Cemetery. Once we are allowed to gather in large groups again, we will hold a Celebration of Life for Don.
For anyone wishing to make a donation in Don’s memory, please consider donating
to the Shriners Hospital for Children, an organization that Don believed in and supported.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Don, please visit www.choicememorial.com.