ELLIS, WALTER DAVIDSON McKINNON
Walter was born on January 16, 1927 in Glasgow Scotland and passed away peacefully on April 22, 2014 in his 87th year at the Victoria Hospice in Victoria. He was predeceased by his parents William and Margaret Ellis, infant sister Helen and elder brother John (Elizabeth). Walter is survived by his wonderful wife of 57 years Joyce; his sons Robert (Vivian) and William and grandchildren Matthew, Joshua, Rachel and Rebecca Ellis; his younger brother William (Anne) and numerous nieces and nephews. During World War Two, Walter worked as a coal miner (Bevin Boy) in support of the war effort. After the war Walter trained as a registered nurse and later immigrated to Canada, arriving in Saskatoon Saskatchewan in 1955. He met Joyce Barnett at a friend’s home and the couple was married in Moose Jaw on April 28, 1956. The newlyweds moved to Vancouver in 1957 where Robert was born in 1959 with William being born in 1960 in Victoria where they resided until 1968. Walter attended the University of Winnipeg, specializing in hospital administration and had a long and successful career with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The family had many adventures as they travelled across Canada with stops in Calgary, Victoria, and London (Ont.). The family settled in Calgary in 1972 and remained there until Walter’s retirement as the Assistant Executive Director of the Colonel Belcher Hospital in 1984. Walter loved fly fishing, gardening, reading and raising his sons with Joyce. Walter and Joyce relocated to Victoria and settled in Brentwood Bay in 1985 where they spent many happy years together. At Walter’s request there will be no funeral. The family would like to thank Dr. Phil Huggett (the family doctor for 22 yrs.), Community Care Nurses, home support, the Victoria Hospice and friends and family involved in support of Walter’s care. Donations can be made to any charities that help children. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.pacificcoastcremation.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Walter Davidson McKinnon Ellis
Print Obituary & Condolences
If you are not completely satisfied with any of our services or facility offerings, we will reduce or eliminate the charge. 
Funeral and cremation costs can be very confusing. All our prices are clearly disclosed on our general price list and website.
Dear Mrs. Ellis and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Mr. Ellis’s passing. I had the pleasure of knowing him through my work at the Co-op. He would pleasantly chat and joke with us at the store as Mrs. Ellis did her shopping. He was a favourite customer of mine and always made the day brighter. Thinking of you during your time off loss. Jennifer Hoenen
Joyce & family,
Walter and I worked together at the Colonel Belcher for 5 years, where I was the first Director of Nursing after the Belcher was turned over to the provincial government. I have lots of good memories and laughs as we dealt with these changes.
Warm regards,
Rhea & Dick Graham
Red Deer Alberta
Mrs. Joyce Ellis,
We were sorry to read in the Calgary Herald of Walter’s passing. We meet you and Walter when we purchased your Oakridge home in Sept. 1986. It has been a wonderful family home for us and we still live there. Please accept our thoughts in your time of loss.
Marg & Bill Partridge
Mrs. Ellis, I worked with Walter at the Colonel Belcher Hospital from 1974 to 1984 and he did me the honor of giving me the position of Director, Food and Nutrition Services. I missed him very much after he retired. Once my family and I moved to Victoria, we met him three or four times over the years. I will always have fond memories of my time working with him. Donna Jones
My wife Oris were shocked to read of Walters passing in the Calgary Herald. Reading the notice made me think of the years Walter and I spent at the Colonel Belcher Hospital. Please accept our most sincere condolences.
Mrs. Ellis and family: I was a very young woman when I had one of my first jobs at the Colonel Belcher Hospital as Director of Health Records, Admitting and Switchboard. Walter was very kind to me and I thought he was wonderful. I successfully applied for a job with the Greater Victoria Hospital Society and Walter met with me, prior to my interview to give me guidance. That was many years ago and it brings tears to my eyes to see notes from Ron Hanson, Rhea Graham, Donna Jones. The Colonel Belcher was a great place to work and we had a lot of fun together. My sincere condolences at your loss. May peace be with you.
Dear Joyce, William, Robert and family
It is with saddened hearts that we hear of Walter’s passing. Walter was always a good, kind neighbour, always ready to chat and pass along his gardening knowledge, not to mention happily supplying the neighbourhood children with Joyce’s wonderful chocolate chip cookies. My kids have fond memories of showing him how they had graduated from tricycles, to bikes, to roller blades. Even when they had their loud music phase, he was always patient, and interested in their well being.
May you be blessed with the wonderful memories, and be at peace, knowing he is no longer in pain.
Sincerely, and with much affection
Kathy and Merv Dutchak
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing William. Thinking of you, your mom, and brother at this time. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting your dad, I could tell by the way you spoke so highly and lovingly of him he was a special man…hoping happy memories of him will help to ease your grief.
With affection,
Siobhan