DAVIDSON – William

It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we announce the passing of our father, William (Willie) Davidson, aged 98, on June 7, 2026, in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan. At the time of his passing, Willie was residing at an assisted living care home.

William (Willie) Alexander Davidson was born on December 28, 1927, in Kinistino, Saskatchewan to parents, James (Jim) and Margaret (Daisy) Davidson. He was the fourth child with siblings, George, Walter, Mary, Margaret and Janet.

The Davidson family farmed south of Kinistino in the Crescent Hill district. When Willie’s parents moved to Prince Albert, Walter and Willie operated the homestead farm together, until October 1955, at which time Walter moved to Prince Albert. Willie remained as the sole operator.

During the winter of 1947, Willie worked in the lumber industry in Ontario and for several winters following, Willie worked away from the farm, at a sawmill at Hudson Bay, ran by Ron and Harry Meyers.

In the summer of 1955, William met his bride to be, Shirley Ethier, who was working on a nearby farm for the Alfred and Rita Soulier family providing childcare and other duties. After a short courtship, the couple married on December 15, 1955 and moved into the original Davidson home.

From this union was born Marilyn (1956), Brian (1958) and Allan (1967). During the winters of 1956-1958, Willie worked at Dodd’s Feedlot.

Willie and Shirley enjoyed the farm life as well as a great social life with all their friends and neighbors in the community.

In 1981, the family relocated to Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, where they farmed and raised cattle until 1997, at which time they moved into their home in Shellbrook.

Willie and Shirley enjoyed going to hockey games, attending jam sessions and dancing at Canwood, playing cards with friends and taking trips to visit various friends and relatives in the western provinces. Visiting with family and friends was very important to both and this remained a constant in their lives.

Sadly, on September 30, 2025, Willie lost Shirley, the love of his life, after a short battle with cancer. Willie and Shirley made a good team and you would seldom see one without the other. As of December 15, 2025, the couple would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Willie will be dearly missed as he leaves to mourn his passing, his daughter, Marilyn (Louis) Dimakos, son Brian (Gale) Davidson, son Allan (Joan) Davidson, grandchildren David (Tannis) Sutton, Jennifer Engen, Amanda Sutton, Elizabeth Irving and Kelsey (Dominik)Machado as well as great grandchildren, Cameron Stewart, David Stewart, Phoebe Stewart, William Irving and Sophia Irving. In addition, he will be missed by his sister, Janet (Len) Breault, brother-in-law, Leonard Ethier, and sister-in-law, Carol Ethier, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and his many friends from Kinistino, Shellbrook, and surrounding areas.

The family would like to thank the Mihilewicz Assisted Living Care Home in Shellbrook, the Homecare nurses, and the doctor’s, nurses, & staff of the Shellbrook Hospital, for providing such wonderful care to our dad. It is very much appreciated.

At Willie’s request, there will be no funeral and his remains will be interned at the Kinistino Cemetery.

In lieu of tributes, donations may be made in memory of Willie to:

Cystic Fibrosis Canada

20 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 1305,

Toronto, Ontario

M4R 1K8

1-800-378-2233

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium, Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK 306-747-2828.

• Date : 2026-06-07
• Location : Shellbrook, SK.