WILLIAM HENRY (‘WILLIE’) ALMERS

It is with great sadness that the family of Willie Almers announces his passing, at the age of 97, on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Rainy River Health Centre in Rainy River, Ont.
Willie was born on Jan. 5, 1922 in Morson, Ont. to the late John and Nora Almers.
At the age of 13, he started running boats and doing some guiding. At the age of 18, he left the lake and enrolled into the Canadian Army. He served overseas, spending time in Germany and Normandy as a field medic.
It was during this time that he discovered boxing. He loved to box and loved to watch matches. As the sport evolved and changed, he followed it with glee, taking in kickboxing and MMA matches as he got older.
After the war, he returned home to Lake of the Woods. He was captain onboard The Ark for many years and during the winters, he ran a yacht in Florida called the Doe Rae Me.
Willie loved to be outdoors; if he wasn’t on a boat, he could be hunting or fishing.
He was united in marriage to Laura Fadden on Aug. 29, 1972. They were inseparable and he was very devoted to her.
He was predeceased by his parents, John and Nora; wife, Laura, on April 1, 2002; infant brother, David; brothers, John and Almer, and sisters, Elizabeth Meta, Rebecca, and Katherina; nephew, David Blight; and sisters-in-law, Louise Johnson, Gladys Peloquin, and Marjorie Bolen.
Willie leaves behind nieces and nephews, Betty Blight, Jerry (Martha) Blight, Forest (John) Armstrong, Elayne Blight, Wayne (Cathy) Blight, Amber Davidson, Star (Ben) Clarke, Wes (Norma) Blight, Ardie Blight, Trevor (Diann MacKay) Blight, Irving (Geraldine) Blight, and Bryan (Linda) Almers; brother-in-law, Gerald Fadden; as well as a large extended family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #54 in Rainy River.
The honourary pallbearers will be Debbie Medwechuk, Tammy Armstrong, and Debbie Desserre.
Cremation has taken place and Willie will be laid to rest with his beloved Laura this summer.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Township of Lake of the Woods for the Morson Hall.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com