William (Bill) George Jano Tinkler

Bill (William) George Tinkler was born at Erickson on February 13, 1932, to Joseph and Henrietta Tinkler.   They farmed at Crawford Park.  Bill received his early education at the Clear Creek School and his secondary education at Erickson Collegiate.  The family moved to Erickson in 1946.

Bill started working as a lumberman at Erickson Lumber and Supply.  The business was eventually sold to Beaver Lumber and Bill was promoted to Branch Manager.  He was transferred to the Beausejour Beaver Lumber location and was manager there until 1962.  He was appointed Territorial Superintendent and was responsible for the northern half of Manitoba.  This necessitated a move to Winnipeg.  After two years of being on the road in this position, he decided to open his own business and the family moved to Neepawa.  He purchased the CN railway roundhouse in Neepawa, and established his business known as Neepawa Lumber and Supply.  It is notable that this sale was the first time that CNR sold holdings to a private individual and there was considerable discussion over the transaction in the House of Commons.

Bill added a window and door manufacturing business that he continued to run for a number of years, even after selling the lumber business to Chimo Lumber.  He stayed active in Neepawa’s business community until 2000, when he eventually retired.

Bill was passionate about flying.  He received his wings in 1954.  In 1976 he purchased a Piper Cherokee and was a charter member of the Neepawa Flying Club.  Unfortunately, he had to give up flying after medical complications impacted his life.  At the same time, he and his wife Beryl had to give up square dancing which they enjoyed immensely.  He was an avid golfer and played a number of different sports in his early life.  He also enjoyed fishing at their cottage at Ditch Lake.  Even when he retired, he retained a love for building things, which continued until his health forced him to give that up. 

Bill married Ethel Smith of Plumas in 1953.  They had three children, two daughters and a son.  They divorced in 1976.   In 1987, Bill married Beryl Mayor of Erickson and acquired 3 stepsons to add to his family.

Bill was predeceased by his parents Joe and Etta, two of his sisters – Jocelyne Steele and Mona Tinkler, and their spouses, brother-in-law Bill Wasylenko, a nephew, and his stepson Cam.  Left to mourn his passing are his wife Beryl, daughters Barb (Craig) Fedorowich and Lynda Robbins, son Scott (Cindy) Tinkler, stepsons Darwin (Lorraine) Mayor, and Delmer (Marie) Mayor.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Logan Robbins, Kyle (Heather) Robbins, Samantha (Travis) Tinkler, Kardy Fedorowich, Jennifer (Marc) Daniel, Kristina (Josh) Mayor, Brittany (Allan) Baakas, Julie (Brandon) Persson and numerous great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his sister Betty Wasylenko and (former) daughter-in-law Denise Peterson with whom he remained close.

Bill died peacefully, with Beryl by his side, at Neepawa Hospital on Thursday August 31, 2023 at the age of 91.  Funeral services will be held at Neepawa United Church on Friday September 8, at 1:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Neepawa Palliative Care or the Neepawa Hospital Auxiliary