Memorable Manitobans: Arthur Charles “Bill” Emmett (1921-2002)

Veteran, lobbyist.

Born at Winnipeg on 8 December 1921, son of Arthur Coates Emmett and Lillie Matthews (?-1960), he later moved with his parents to St. James where he attended Linwood School and St. James Collegiate. He was employed by the RCA Victor Company in Winnipeg and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940, receiving flight training at Portage la Prairie and Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He went overseas and served in Scotland, England, North Africa, and Italy. He returned home in late 1944 and was discharged in February 1945. He joined the staff of the Manitoba Motor League (now CAA Manitoba) and succeeded his father as General Manager in 1954. He was CEO of the League until 1984, when he retired. In 1959, he was elected President of the Lions Club of St. James-Assiniboia, and in 1968 he served as President of the Wartime Pilots and Observers Association. In cooperation with the St. John Ambulance Society, he re-established and chaired the Manitoba Highway First Aid Post Committee. On 26 January 1945, he married Eleanor Ruth McKay (1922-1999, daughter of Brice Annan Miller McKay) at St. James United Church and they had three daughters. He died at Winnipeg on 26 October 2002.

Sources:

“Eleanor Ruth McKay marries Flying Officer A. C. Emmett,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 January 1945, page 10.

Obituary [Eleanor Ruth Emmett], Winnipeg Free Press, 26 July 1999, page 36.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 2002.

“They will never be forgotten,” Winnipeg Free Press, 31 December 2002, pages A8-A9.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 30 November 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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