William "Bill" Drake

Surrounded by his loving family, Bill peacefully passed away January 2, 2025, at the age of 79 at Brandon Regional Health Centre.

Born in Hamiota Manitoba May 17, 1945 to parents Iola and Kyler and brother Ken.

Bill was raised on the family farm east of Oakner Manitoba.

As a boy Dad enjoyed mastering taking all things apart, often driving his father crazy until he figured out how to put it all back together. His ability to train animals was evident at an early age. He soon found his skills would be put to work breaking horses his Dad would bring home from auction, before long they would be ready to move on and be solid horses for families and farms near and far. Farming with his family and dear family friends, the Riddle’s growing up was immensely important to Dad. He cherished those memories of working with Walter and Gladys.

When Dad was 15, he headed out on his own, independent and strong-willed, getting his GED and then his mechanics’ license. He spent a few years in Winnipeg driving taxi and tow truck before returning to westman where he worked as a mechanic. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, his outside the box thinking solved any problem that came his way. 

Dad’s love of horses would lead him to local fairs where he would eventually meet Linda Edwards. Both avid competitors with a shared love of horsemanship. That shared interest soon grew to love of one another and they married on October 11, 1969 in Harding Manitoba.

They newlyweds started out farming in the Tarbolton district with Mom’s parents, Bill and Eileen Edwards. In April of 1972 they welcomed the birth of their son Ward. Farming in summer and working construction in the north in the winters would sustain their family for a few years. 1974 was a year of change for the Drake’s, Shannon joined the family in June and later that year they moved to their house to Harding and Dad began his long career of owning his own shop and fixing anything that rolled through his shop doors. He was soon known as the mechanic that could solve any issue and fix any mechanical problem, if a part wasn’t available, he would fabricate his own. Wendy completed the family in 1976. The Drake’s spent the next couple of decades living in Harding. In the early 80’s the shop burned and the B & L Equipment moved to the corner at Kenton. Over the years Dad worked in the shop, built roads, cleared bush and drove truck for his brother Ken. He tackled each and every task with a positive, get it done attitude.  

Dad’s outlook on community was to dig in and help out to get the job done. If equipment was needed or he could help in any way he was there, no questions asked. Through Dad’s retirement years he and mom spent over a decade volunteering at the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, where they enjoyed a few weeks of each year looking after exhibitors stalling and every need at various shows. His value of community was passed along to all of us and something we are grateful for.

Grandkids were Dad’s pride and joy. Nieces Jolene and Meghan were Mom and Dad’s introduction to grandparenting, there was no one more thrilled when Ken and Aude’s girls joined our family. He and mom spent hours travelling to cattle shows, rinks, baseball fields and volleyball courts. Dad proudly boasted about all their accomplishments with anyone and everyone. The one thing more precious than his grandkids were his great grands, Great Grandpa Bill was a favourite with Marren and Elijah, he recently commented he was most looking forward to watching them grow up.

Bill (William) Kyler Drake was predeceased by his parents Kyler and Iola Drake, in-laws Bill and Eileen Edwards. He is survived by his loving, dedicated wife Linda. Son Ward Drake (Stacy Haakenson); grandson Kyler Emmerson and his mother Karen Emmerson. Daughter Shannon Carvey (Darren); Taylor Ginter (Matthew), Justin Carvey. Daughter Wendy Shearer (Ryan); Kain(Josie Pederson), Jensen(Logan McEvoy), Lexie. Great Grandchildren Elijah and Marren Ginter. Brother Ken Drake (Aude Pingarde); Andrea Plante (Marc) and family, Andy Drake(Tannis) and family, Jolene Drake, Meghan Drake(Reid Hilton).

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Kenton Memorial Hall, Kenton, MB on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 2:00pm wollowed by a time of fellowship and refreshments. A private interment will be held prior to the service.

For those so desiring, donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Kenton Fire Department, payable to Wallace-Woodworth Municipality (in cheque memo write In Memory of Bill Kenton F.D.), Box 148, Kenton, MB, R0M 0Z0 or to the Harding Ag Society, Box 102, Kenton, MB, R0M 0Z0.

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