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William Joseph Strath 1928President. Throughout his tenure with MPE, he represented Manitoba farmers on many boards, including the Manitoba Farm Bureau, the Livestockon the local Manitoba Pool Elevators Board (MPE) for approximately 20 years, being elected a Director of MPE in 1974. During 1980-81, he co-chaired Bill Strath was bom in Souris on July Souris’ 100th Anniversary Celebrations.23,1928. He received his primary educa- In 1980, Bill became first Vice-Presidenttion in a one-room school at South of MPE, and in 1985 was electedBeresford and his high school education at Souris Collegiate. He attended the University of Manitoba, graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture with a BSA in 1954. There, he met Jean Committee, Western Co-op Fertilizers,Thomson, also a graduate of the univer- Pool Insurance, and the Great Lakessity with a degree in Home Economics. Waterway Association. He was a mem-Married in 1952, they returned to the ber of trade delegations to Brazilfamily farm near Souris where they andRussia to promote Canadian agricul-raised four children, Margaret, Barbara, ture. Bill was President of XCAN Grain,James and Jennifer, and farmed full time a joint marketing company of the threeuntil 1980. Prairie Pools, from 1987 to 1990. ThisService to country and community company became the largest exporter ofbut mostly to the farmers of Manitoba Canadian grains outside the Canadianhas been the foundation of Bill’s life. Wheat Board. At the same time, Bill wasPrior to entering university, Bill had an President and Chairman of the Board ofactive career in the military, first with the Air Cadets and then with the 12thPrairie Pools Inc., a policy group that lobbied the Federal Government on Manitoba Dragoons where he reached behalf of praine farmers. Bill was a del-the rank of Captain.egate to the International Federation ofIn the winter of 1954-55 Bill taught Agricultural Producers and Chairman ofan Agriculture Diploma course in the Grains Group, whose mandate wasto improve trade relationships amongst member nations.In 1990, Bill retired from ManitobaBrandon. In the early 1960’s he was President of the Souris Valley Agri-Business Association. At this time hebecame involved in the co-operative Pool Elevators and received themovement serving on the Co-operative Distinguished Co-operator Award forHail Insurance Board for 10 years and his service to the co-op movement. Billand Jean moved back to Souris where he became active in Community TV, Elks, Legion, Communities in Bloom, Town Council, Cemetery Board and the Curling Club.Throughout his career, Strath worked at local, provincial, national and international levels. However, he never lost sight of what he was working for: Western Canadian farmers and their rural way of life.William Strath was nominated by family, friends and colleagues.
Newspaper Details
Brandon Sun Community News
Brandon, Manitoba, CA
Thu, Jul 26, 2007
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA 27 Nov 2021
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