We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Walter “Wally” Arthur Zillman, CD (Ret’d), on 26 January 2025 at age 95 at East Gate Lodge Personal Care Home in Beausejour MB.
Wally grew up with his siblings in Waterloo ON, where his work ethic was established at a young age, starting as a paperboy, doing errands, and working in a furniture factory in Waterloo. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1948 as a Firefighter, and his 23-year career took him to bases in Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, plus four years in France. Wally retired from the Canadian Forces in 1971.
Wally chose Beausejour as the permanent residence to raise his family. He lived an active, busy life with this work and volunteering but also found the time for travelling, curling, darts, cribbage, woodworking, gardening, and camping. Many happy years were spent with family and friends at the cottage at Pinawa Bay.
Wally was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 132, Beausejour since 1984. His roles included Branch President, member of the Branch Executive serving in various positions - including Branch Chairman, Poppy Chairman, Remembrance Day Services, selling and supervising ticket sales at the Friday night suppers, handyman in the clubhouse, and clean-up after Thursday night Bingo. He also volunteered as a Dorm Dean at the Royal Canadian Legion Athletic Camp from 1997 to 2007. In 2010, he was honoured to receive his Lifetime Membership from Branch 132.
Wally took great pride in his skill as a dart player and cribbage player. Over the years he and his wife won several trophies playing in the Legion Cribbage Tournaments. In 2023, Branch 132 honoured Wally by naming the spring tournament “The Wally Zillman Spring Cribbage Tournament.”
In addition to the Legion, Wally was very active with volunteering in the community with numerous organizations: Beausejour Consumers Co-op Board of Directors, Sunrise School Board, Beausejour Curling Club, Director of the Beausejour Crime Stoppers and Instructor for the Manitoba Hunter Safety Course, driving patients to Winnipeg for treatment at CancerCare Manitoba. Many hours were also spent with friends at Beau-Head Senior Center in Beausejour, participating in bus tours, socializing, and playing cribbage.
A ‘Celebration of his Life’ will be held on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 132, 300 Veterans Lane, Beausejour. Wally will be laid to rest in the spring in Veteran’s Section Town Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 132, Beausejour, Diabetic Association or Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
