Obituary of Bill Shumay
The family of Bill Shumay, beloved husband of Elizabeth Shumay (Soloski), announce his passing on August 15, 2024, at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home.
Bill was born on October 7th, 1930, to Michael and Donia (Spelay) Shumay in the Whitesand District. He grew up on the family farm and attended Beblow School with his six siblings before he began helping his dad and brothers on the farm. On June 5th, 1965, he married Elizabeth Soloski at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church in Rama, SK and they had a two-day celebration—first in Rama Hall and then at Whitesand Hall. They were blessed with 5 children.
Bill worked first with the Matheson Brothers and then with Logan Stevens Construction for over 30 years. He was a part of many large construction projects throughout Saskatchewan and worked on buildings in Yorkton, including St. Mary’s Cultural Centre.
Bill was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Yorkton and St. Mary’s Church in Whitesand. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, joining in 1977 with Council #5182. For many years, he did Meals-on-Wheels and worked at the Cultural Centre.
Bill was very involved with the lives of his children—supporting them in sports, dance, and in all their interests. Summer weekends were spent camping together as a family. He enjoyed watching the Blue Jays, the Maple Leafs, the Roughriders, and the Yorkton Terriers, and he had a passion for hunting and fishing. The highlight of the winter season was bowling, which he loved and excelled in, and where he made many good friends. Playing cards (Troika) was another favourite way to spend evenings with family and friends.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Michael and Donia, his in-laws Frank and Jean, his brothers Daniel, Peter, and Steve (Ella), his sister Mary, son-in-law Brian, daughter-in-law Ewa, brothers-in-law Herman and Eugene, and his sister-in-law Evelyn.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Elizabeth of 59 years, his children Ken (Karen) of Brandon, Leona (Marlin) of Indian Head, Kristine (Jeff) of Prince Albert, Darcy († Ewa) of Edmonton, and Randy (Esther) of Regina. He leaves his grandchildren Christine (Erik) of Carrollton, Mykel (Allie) of Saskatoon, Eryka and Matthew of Brandon, Kyle and Dylan of Indian Head, Gracelyn of Prince Albert, Christina (Matt) of Moose Jaw, and Cohen and Caius of Regina. He also leaves his great-grandchildren Jackson, Karter, and Ellie-Mae of Moose Jaw. He leaves behind his brothers Paul of Saskatoon and Dan (May) of Mundare, his sister-in-law Carol of Yorkton, his brothers-in-law Adolph (Janet) of Langenburg and Lorne (Rose) of Saskatoon, and his sisters-in-law Marlene and Teresa (Ben), as well as many relatives and friends. A life that has touched so many of us and filled our hearts with joy, Bill’s memory will live on forever.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Church Building Fund, Yorkton or St. Mary's Church, Whitesand as gifts of remembrance.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home, Yorkton.
