Businessman, Mayor of Brandon (1970-1974).
Born near High Bluff on 15 January 1919, son of William Wilton and Jessie May Grant, during the Second World War he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Returning from military duty, he farmed near High Bluff until 1951 when his family moved to Minnedosa and he operated an automobile and farm machinery dealership.
In 1958, he moved to Brandon and purchased Victoria Motors. He renamed it Wilton Motors and operated the business until 1969, selling it to his son, Bill Jr. During his working life, he served as a director of the Federal Business Development Bank, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Lotteries Commission, and several private companies. In retirement, he farmed near Basswood.
On 7 March 1942, he married Sarah Andrina “Sally” Ferguson (1918-2001) at Portage la Prairie and they had five sons: William Wilton, Andrew Wilton, James WIlton, Ted Wilton, and Murray Wilton. He was actively involved with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Brandon Curling Club, Brandon Golf and Country Club, and Wasagaming Golf Club. He served as Mayor of Brandon (1969-1974) during which time the Keystone Centre was constructed and opened in 1973. An active member of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party, he was given a lifetime membership in 1988.
He died at Brandon on 28 October 1992 and was buried in the Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Marriage registration [William Wilton, Jessie May Grant], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Birth registration [William Herbert Keith Wilton], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Marriage registration [William Hubert Keith Wilton, Sarah Andrina Ferguson], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Former city mayor dies,” Brandon Sun, 29 October 1992. [Manitoba Legislative Library, Biographical Vertical File]
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 31 October 1992, page 79.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
We thank Sandy Jasper for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 11 January 2025
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