LEWIS WESLEY ‘WES’ WILLIAMS

Lewis Wesley “Wes” Williams, 82, of Emo, Ont., passed away Thursday, June 2, 2005 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
Wes was born Dec. 28, 1922 in Cumberland, Wis. to the late Ralph and Grace Williams. He moved to Canada in 1929 and attended elementary school in Patullo Township.
He moved to Emo in 1954 and had lived there since.
Wes worked most of his life as a logger, starting at age 13. He had little formal education, but was always interested in learning new things. He spent several years involved in prospecting and diamond drilling.
When working for Mando and Boise in the bush camps, he operated almost all of the heavy equipment and trucks they had. In his spare time, Wes took a correspondence course in refrigeration and he built a freezer, which worked for about 30 years.
He also did carpentry work, remodelling and building most of his own house, including the cupboards, and built several log cabins, including his own cabin and garage in North Branch.
He also worked for short times at other jobs, including working on the construction of the Bear’s Pass bridge, which was an interesting experience.
After leaving Boise, Wes operated his own part-time carpet cleaning business, cut pulpwood, and worked summers for the Township of Emo until retirement.
He was Emo’s fire chief for several years and was instrumental in organizing the volunteer fire department.
Wes was known throughout the district for his horseshoe playing and ran the horseshoe tournament at the Emo Fair for 20 years. He was an avid hunter, and also enjoyed curling, square dancing, and bowling.
As a member of the Emo Curling Club, Wes was in charge of the installation of the artificial ice. In the last several years, he enjoyed wood carving with the Whiskyjack Carvers.
He was a longtime member of Knox United Church in Emo. He enjoyed travelling and went on many lengthy trips, especially after his retirement.
Wes is survived by his four sons, Brian (Christine) of Emo, Ont., Roger (Betty) of Fort Frances, Ont., Ralph (Sandra) of Mississauga, Ont., and Bruce (Helen) of Kenora, Ont.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Sherri (Jason) King, Owen Williams, Christopher Williams, Kurt (Rebecca) Williams, Matthew Williams, Katherine Williams, Sarah Williams, and Erin Williams; one great-grandson, Duncan Samuel King; one sister, Laura Jewett of Thunder Bay, Ont.; brother-in-law, Ernest McLeod of Fort Frances, Ont.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was united in marriage to the former Margaret “Peggy” Field, who predeceased him on May 26, 2001.
Wes also was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Grace; sister, Dorothy Brannan and her husband, Thaddeus; half-brother, Carl Thesenvitz and his wife, Muriel; brother-in-law, Laverne Jewett; and sister-in-law, Barbara McLeod.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Knox United Church in Emo. Rev. Frances Flook officiated, with interment in Emo Cemetery in Emo.
The pallbearers were Bradley Brannan, Dale Jensson, Steve Latimer, Dave Loney, Dayton Thesenvitz, and Dan Wilson.
The honourary pallbearers were Gerald Brown, Mel Lindsell, Maurice MacMillan, Grant McComb, William Neilson, and Clark Nielson.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Emo Hospital or Knox United Church in Emo, c/o Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.