In Loving Memory of
W. Watson 
Roper
age 88
Lovingly remembered by his children 
Dianne (Paul), Allan (Christina), Brenda (Perry), 
Georgia (Ken) and Colleen (Brad) as well as 
their families.  
Watson is predeceased by his wife Norma 
and their son-in-law Larry.

Died
July 8, 2023
Hartney Community Health Centre 
Hartney, Manitoba

Graveside Service
Monday, July 17, 2023
Hartney Cemetery
Hartney, Manitoba
2:00 p.m.

**for your comfort please bring a lawn chair**

Donations in memory of Watson may be made 
to the Hartney Elks Lodge No. 357, 
PO Box 358, Hartney, Manitoba R0M 0X0 or 
to a charity of one’s choice.

Watson Roper, age 88, of Hartney, Manitoba, passed away on July 8, 2023, at Hartney Personal Care Home.
Watson was born November 9, 1934, in Hartney. He attended Melgund and Hartney Schools, then received his
Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba in 1955. He completed a Farm Management course
from the Manitoba Department of Agriculture in 1969. On April 7, 1956, Watson married Norma Phillips. They
lived near Dand for a short time before moving to his parents’ farm on SE 5-6-23, near Hartney, where he was
a grain and cattle farmer. Watson and Norma moved into town in 1994.
Watson is remembered as someone who could make almost anything. During the winter months, when the
field work was done, he would work on new projects. Some of these included: converting a tractor to a frontend loader, making a snowmobile (with a Woody Woodpecker decal), and building a camper that would hold a
family of seven.
In his spare-time, Watson enjoyed reading (James Herriot was a favourite), camping, and traveling. In his
biggest adventure, he and Norma traveled the Alaska Highway, camping along the way. On road trips, Watson
would make a point of stopping to visit friends and family who lived in other parts of the country. He enjoyed
fishing and hunting, and belonged to the Archery and Muzzle Loader Clubs. He was also a member of the Wine
Tasters Club. He was particularly proud to make his own wine and, of course, beer. Watson would drive his
restored Model A Ford in the Hopper Days parade each year. He was a pilot, too, for many years. It was a
proud moment when his grandson, Jonathon, took him for a plane ride on Father’s Day 2008.
Watson was very involved in his community. He was a member of the Elks, Wildlife Federation, Ducks
Unlimited, and Hartney Game and Fish. Through the Elks, he was involved in curling bonspiels, operating the
projector at the theatre, and attending the fire for the annual beef pit barbecue during Hopper Days. He also
volunteered as an ambulance attendant.
Watson is preceded in death by his wife, Norma; his parents, Bill and Eleanor Roper (Glover); son-in-law Larry
Nelson; and cousins, Bruce Roper and Dorothy Woods. He is survived by son Allan (Christina) Roper of Hartney;
daughters, Dianne (Paul) Jackson of Cranbrook BC, Brenda (Perry) Cassils of Deloraine, Georgia (Ken)
Dangstorp of Alameda SK, and Colleen Nelson (Brad Gudmundson) of Turtleford SK; sisters, Hazel (Bob) Hicks,
Grace (Vern) Guttman; grandchildren, Lisa (Adam) Howes, Juliana Mosby (Tyler Day), Dana Mosby (Tia
Anderson); Jordan (Stephanie) Roper, Carly (Steve) Zacharias, Jonathan Cassils, Drew Nelson, and Landon
Nelson; great-grandchildren Kadence Howes, Isla, Knox and Sutton Roper, and Edie and Wes Zacharias; and
cousin Ginny (Jerry) Hardy. Watson is also survived by in-laws, Clare Phillips, and Patricia Phillips, as well as
many nephews and nieces