Obituary for Lorne Murray Williams
WILLIAMS, Lorne Murray
September 11, 1962 – April 8, 2023
It is with broken hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Lorne at 60 years of age. Born to Donnie Williams and Audrey McKendrey (nee Pearce), he grew up in Charleswood where his love for activity saw him playing sports, participating in Scouts and becoming a magician for hire at parties and events. Lorne attended Sir Winston Churchill High School, where he enjoyed a circle of amazing friends and was able to travel on exchange trips to Quebec and New Brunswick. It was there that he learned to speak French fluently which led to an interest and love for Canadian history, a passion he pursued at the University of Calgary where he completed his first degree in Canadian studies.
Lorne became a successful administrator in Residences and Housing at the Universities of Calgary, Lethbridge and Alberta, returning to the University of Lethbridge, where he completed a B. Mgmt. degree. He worked for the University of Lethbridge in Residence and Housing until 1998 when he was hired to lead the Calgary Campus for the Faculty of Management. Lorne ultimately became the Assistant Dean of Northern Campuses for the University of Lethbridge in Calgary, a role where he excelled. He continued to lead the campus for many years, as well as enjoying teaching in the program until his illness in 2022.
Lorne held a B.A. from the University of Calgary, a B. Mgmt. from the University of Lethbridge, an M.A. in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, an M. Ed. From the University of Lethbridge and was ABD on his Ph.D. in Education when he became ill. He was an experienced and talented educator whose work resulted in many teaching awards. Lorne truly excelled in the classroom and loved the energy and experience of teaching to a room full of engaged students. His students appreciated and loved his ability to bring the material to life and make it meaningful and relevant for them all.
In all aspects of his life, he espoused leadership and the lifelong learning and spent many hours mentoring individuals to enhance their personal success. He loved to connect with others and had an amazing memory for names and faces and was always ready with a funny comment or a good joke. Lorne was an incredibly personable individual who was admired and esteemed by all who knew him.
Lorne was an excellent musician who was able to play multiple instruments and performed and sang with his family and friends, as well as in many plays and musicals during his school years. He prided himself on his singing and memory for songs, joining the Men’s Folk Singing group with his Dad Donnie Williams for some fun morning song sessions.
Lorne was an accomplished traveler and loved to be able to say that he had been somewhere when he saw a place in a movie, show or featured in some fashion. He was able to travel to almost every location on his “bucket list”, which he had created in his early twenties. Rome, Paris, Barcelona, and London were some favorites, along with his travel to Mexico, Germany, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, China (twice), 33 of the States, and every province and territory in Canada. (There are probably more!) He was glad to have traveled to so many places but he was sad to have missed out on Greece, Egypt and Australia.
Lorne was blessed to have married Wendy and spent 34 years of his life with her in travel, laughter, love, and great friendship.
Lorne is survived by a large and supportive family including his wife, Wendy; children, Donovan and Kimberly; sister, Christie (Jim) Seymour; second mom, Avis Williams; mother and father-in-law, Berthe and Henry Larwill; brother-in-law, Glen (Della) Larwill; stepbrothers and sister, John (Jenny) McLennan, Leanne (Richard) Tavoso, Cam (Melody) McLennan as well as fifteen nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Donald Williams and mother, Audrey McKendrey. He was taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers or other donations, a fund has been created for a scholarship in Lorne’s name at the University of Lethbridge. Donations can be sent to Lorne Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund.
A Celebration of Lorne’s Life will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2023 from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the Triwood Community Association (2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW, Calgary, AB). Attire is comfortable, casual and colourful.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Lorne, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
September 11, 1962 – April 8, 2023
It is with broken hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Lorne at 60 years of age. Born to Donnie Williams and Audrey McKendrey (nee Pearce), he grew up in Charleswood where his love for activity saw him playing sports, participating in Scouts and becoming a magician for hire at parties and events. Lorne attended Sir Winston Churchill High School, where he enjoyed a circle of amazing friends and was able to travel on exchange trips to Quebec and New Brunswick. It was there that he learned to speak French fluently which led to an interest and love for Canadian history, a passion he pursued at the University of Calgary where he completed his first degree in Canadian studies.
Lorne became a successful administrator in Residences and Housing at the Universities of Calgary, Lethbridge and Alberta, returning to the University of Lethbridge, where he completed a B. Mgmt. degree. He worked for the University of Lethbridge in Residence and Housing until 1998 when he was hired to lead the Calgary Campus for the Faculty of Management. Lorne ultimately became the Assistant Dean of Northern Campuses for the University of Lethbridge in Calgary, a role where he excelled. He continued to lead the campus for many years, as well as enjoying teaching in the program until his illness in 2022.
Lorne held a B.A. from the University of Calgary, a B. Mgmt. from the University of Lethbridge, an M.A. in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University, an M. Ed. From the University of Lethbridge and was ABD on his Ph.D. in Education when he became ill. He was an experienced and talented educator whose work resulted in many teaching awards. Lorne truly excelled in the classroom and loved the energy and experience of teaching to a room full of engaged students. His students appreciated and loved his ability to bring the material to life and make it meaningful and relevant for them all.
In all aspects of his life, he espoused leadership and the lifelong learning and spent many hours mentoring individuals to enhance their personal success. He loved to connect with others and had an amazing memory for names and faces and was always ready with a funny comment or a good joke. Lorne was an incredibly personable individual who was admired and esteemed by all who knew him.
Lorne was an excellent musician who was able to play multiple instruments and performed and sang with his family and friends, as well as in many plays and musicals during his school years. He prided himself on his singing and memory for songs, joining the Men’s Folk Singing group with his Dad Donnie Williams for some fun morning song sessions.
Lorne was an accomplished traveler and loved to be able to say that he had been somewhere when he saw a place in a movie, show or featured in some fashion. He was able to travel to almost every location on his “bucket list”, which he had created in his early twenties. Rome, Paris, Barcelona, and London were some favorites, along with his travel to Mexico, Germany, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, China (twice), 33 of the States, and every province and territory in Canada. (There are probably more!) He was glad to have traveled to so many places but he was sad to have missed out on Greece, Egypt and Australia.
Lorne was blessed to have married Wendy and spent 34 years of his life with her in travel, laughter, love, and great friendship.
Lorne is survived by a large and supportive family including his wife, Wendy; children, Donovan and Kimberly; sister, Christie (Jim) Seymour; second mom, Avis Williams; mother and father-in-law, Berthe and Henry Larwill; brother-in-law, Glen (Della) Larwill; stepbrothers and sister, John (Jenny) McLennan, Leanne (Richard) Tavoso, Cam (Melody) McLennan as well as fifteen nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Donald Williams and mother, Audrey McKendrey. He was taken from us too soon and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers or other donations, a fund has been created for a scholarship in Lorne’s name at the University of Lethbridge. Donations can be sent to Lorne Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund.
A Celebration of Lorne’s Life will be held on Sunday, May 28, 2023 from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the Triwood Community Association (2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW, Calgary, AB). Attire is comfortable, casual and colourful.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Lorne, please visit www.choicememorial.com.