With deepest sorrow, we announce that Bill passed away peacefully at his home in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on October 6, 2024.
Grateful to have shared in his life and remembering him always are Florence, his loving wife of 55 years, his 4 daughters, 5 sons and 16 grandchildren: Mary (Flynn) McGunigal and children Margaret and Josephine; Marjorie Zettler (Joel Lim) and children Joseph and Sophia; Mike Zettler; Marcel (Nanette) Zettler and children Sam and Sylvie; Nancy Zettler (Brent Metcalfe) and children Andrew and Emily; Vince (Sharon) Zettler and children Celina and Harrison; Peter (Rebecca) Zettler and children Kylie and Monty; Katie (Tom) Kemmerer and children Chloe and Amelia; Daniel (Leanne) Zettler and children Henry and Clark. Also left to mourn Bill are his sister Helen Reitzel, brother John Zettler, sister-in-law Jeanne Phillippi, extended family and many friends.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Reuben and Margaret (Ruth) Zettler and his parents-in-law Louis and Mary (Fischer) Phillippi.
Bill was born in Walkerton, Ontario on October 1, 1946 and grew up on the family farm at Holyrood, Bruce County, Ontario. He attended Westford one room school and Lucknow District High School, graduating Grade 12 at the age of 15. At 17, he began working at CIBC in Walkerton, with later postings to branches in Milverton, Wellesley and Peterborough. He made the decision to leave his career in banking after being shot at during a bank robbery in Peterborough in 1967. He then became a commercial underwriter for Co-operators Insurance in Guelph, working there for several years.
On August 30, 1969, he married Florence (Phillippi), a teacher at Sacred Heart Senior School in Walkerton. They moved to the farm that Bill had purchased at age 19 at Riversdale, Ontario and farmed there until August 1977 when they purchased their current property at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba where they still farm today. While farming, Bill also worked as an income tax consultant for Farm Business Consultants and National Farmers Union for 43 years. He looked forward to seeing the same members year after year and considered it a privilege to work for them preparing their income tax returns and getting to know them and their families. In 1985, Bill started a used farm equipment business, still operating to present.
Bill treasured his family, his faith and his friends. He valued his wife as a stay at home mom and worked very hard to make that possible and provide for his family. He was immensely proud of his children, their commitment to education and their many achievements. He passed down many traits and life lessons to his children, not the least of which were a great sense of humor and incredible work ethic. In later years, he took great pride and enjoyment in the activities and successes of his grandchildren. He was a devoted and active member of St. Ann’s Church in Riversdale and Good Shepherd Parish in Portage la Prairie and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years. Bill had a great love of music and began playing piano at a very early age to accompany his dad who played fiddle at house parties. He cherished the friendships made and good times had in playing keyboard with various country bands for more than 60 years. He instilled an appreciation of music in his children, filling the house with music and instruments of all kinds. There were many special times had playing music with his own children over the years, and he loved watching his grandchildren also develop an interest in music. Despite his always busy schedule, Bill dedicated time to serving on many boards and committees over the years – Portage Credit Union, Manitoba Pool Elevators, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, Manitoba Farm Mediation Board, Farm Debt Mediation Appeal Board, Farm Land Ownership Board and Good Shepherd Catholic Church Finance Committee.
If friends so desire, donations can be made to the Portage la Prairie Soup Kitchen or Prairie Welcome House. In honor of Bill’s own commitment to donating to Canadian Blood Services (reaching 124 donations in 2023) please also consider a blood donation. There is nothing that Bill enjoyed more than telling stories and sharing a laugh with a loved one with some good music and good food, so its our wish that you take the time to do the same with your own loved ones any time you have the chance.
Special thanks to Dr. David Kinnear, palliative care and home care staff and to the ALS Society for their care and support. The family is also very grateful for the many friends who visited Bill.
Bill leaves behind a legacy of family, faith and hard work. We will miss his humor, love and support and hold his memory forever in our hearts.
Visitation was held the evening of Monday October 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday October 15, 2024 at 10:00 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. The service was live streamed, please visit afh.ca.
Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 204-248-2201. To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca
