William Murray WITHERSPOON

WILLIAM MURRAY WITHERSPOON William Murray Witherspoon, 90, of Devlin, Ont., passed away Sunday, Oct. 20, 2002 at the Emo Hospital. He was born July 19, 1912 in Burriss Township to the late James and Christina Witherspoon. Bill had lived all his life in the Burriss/Devlin area. He was employed for 33 years for the Municipality of La Vallee, and as owner/operator of Bill’s Corner Store for 23 years along with wife, Bernice. In his younger years, he enjoyed his baseball, he loved hunting, and was an avid stock car fan. He was a very devoted father and grandfather, and was loved by all. He enjoyed the company of everyone who stopped by. Bill was united in marriage to the late Bernice Allan on Jan. 12, 1937. Bill is survived by two daughters, June and husband, Alf Benjamin, of Devlin, Ont., and Marlene of Fort Frances, Ont.; and two sons, Don and wife, Millie, and Doug and wife, Laurie, all of Devlin, Ont. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, Leon Swire and friend, Olga, of Stratton, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Christina Witherspoon; wife, Bernice in 1994; daughter, Patsy in 1955; son, Murray in 1954; sisters, Christine Steele, Lilly McKay, and Marion Alexander; and brother, Jim. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont. Rev. Frances Flook officiated, with interment in Devlin Cemetery in Devlin, Ont. The pallbearers were his grandsons, Sam Benjamin, Dwain Benjamin, Murray Witherspoon, Greg Swire, Grant Swire, Gary Swire, and Bill Witherspoon Jr. In memoriam donations may be made to the Emo Health Care Centre, 260 Front St., Emo, Ont. P0W 1E0.