Memorable Manitobans: William “Bill” Woloshyn (1933-2009)

Musician.

Born at Fisher Branch on 4 August 1933, son of Peter and Pearl Woloshyn, he began playing the accordion when he was 12 years of age. He worked as a heavy equipment operator before taking up farming near Fisher Branch. In 1964, along with his wife Mary Stefanec (1931-2015), he formed the Interlake Polka Kings and played traditional “grassroots” Ukrainian music. The Polka Kings became a popular Ukrainian musical group putting on stage shows and dances across western Canada. His songs were about hard -working farmers who believed in the future. Their albums included Bill Woloshyn’s Interlake Polka Kings 24 Greatest Hits (1999) and 60 years of Music—Bill and Mary Woloshyn (2008). He died at Hodgson on 3 August 2009.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 6 August 2009, page 27.

Obituary [Mary Woloshyn], Winnipeg Free Press, 6 October 2015.

Bill Woloshyn, YouTube.

This page was prepared by Ian Stewart.

Page revised: 15 March 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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