It is with great sadness the family announces the peaceful passing of Bill Breadner on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Pinecrest Home for the Aged in Kenora, Ontario.
Bill was a “prairie boy”. He was born in Dauphin Manitoba on May 8, 1931, the only son of Leslie and Effie Olive Breadner. His father Leslie was a district manager for Pool elevators. His territory covered most of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Bill would often tag along with his father on trips, which exposed Bill at a young age to the intoxicating rural farm life and the meeting of many interesting people along the way. His family later moved to Brandon where Bill attended high school.
Given Bill’s love of the prairie farm life it was no surprise that he took up working at the local Brandon Macleod’s hardware store, as a clerk, at the age of 19. It wasn’t long after this that he caught the eye of a beautiful Brandon University nursing student named Nel Hayhurst. Bill and Nel were married on October 2, 1953. The result was 5 children and a busy family life combining a 35 year career with MacLeod’s, a company that included 220 stores-77 company owned stores and 143 franchises. Bill’s career led him and his family to seven different prairie towns over a 14 year time span where he managed the local Macleod stores, before ending his career back in MacLeod’s Winnipeg Head office, where he finally retired in 1982, at the age of 55, from his position of Vice President of the Dealer Franchise Division.
After many moves and raising five children Nel and Bill sold their Winnipeg home and retired to their Sioux Narrows Ontario cottage during the warm months and then headed south to their newly purchased residence in Pharr Texas for the winters. Bill’s retirement activities included; time spent with friends and family, Kinsmen, toastmasters, square dancing with Nel, gardening, playing his organ, boating, travel with Nel to Texas, Mexico and White Rock B.C.
Bill’s wife Nel, the love of his life for more than 54 years, had her life cut short after a brief illness and passed away on November 14, 2007. Bill was also predeceased by his parents Leslie and Effie Breadner, his sister Joan Canby and his daughter Leslie.
Bill is survived by his other love, Dorothy Holmgren of Kenora. They were married in Dryden Ontario on December 24, 2010. Bill and Dorothy shared many happy times together; Several trips out to Victoria for a winter reprieve, frequent “two-for” dinner outings, along with attending many social community events, filled their years together.
Bill is also survived by his children; John (Val), Shelley, Terrill (Tom), Mark (Heather), grandchildren; Chris (Jessica), Matt (Teresa), Leslie (Karl), David, Allison (Abhi), Heather, Shannon (Peter), Michael, Hannah (Tim), Madison and Ashley, great grandchildren; Milena and Madeleine and one more due this coming July, extended family; Ken (Darlene) Wilson, Betty Hayhurst and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was a loving Husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and friend to many. He had a way about him that made others feel comfortable in his presence. He was quick to laugh and shared stories and fun times with family and friends. He was always a favorite uncle. The man he was and the love he showed us will be carried in our hearts forever. Bill Breadner, you will be missed by all who knew You.
If inclined to do so. please make a donation in Bill’s memory, to a charity of your choice or plant a tree.
At Bill’s request no funeral service will be held. A family gravesite burial of his ashes will be held in Brandon, Manitoba at a future date.