Memorable Manitobans: William Burton “Bill” Preston (1937-2013)

Naturalist.

Born at Penticton, British Columbia on 6 March 1937, son of Earl and Kathleen Preston, he was educated at the South Okanagan High School, University of British Columbia (BSc, MSc), and University of Oklahoma (PhD). On returning to Canada, he was hired as Curator of Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes at the Manitoba Museum, holding the position for 28 years. He wrote The Reptiles and Amphibians of Manitoba (1982), co-wrote The Butterflies of Manitoba (1989), and contributed to The Encyclopedia of Manitoba (2007). Preston was a member of the Canadian Entomological Society, Manitoba Entomological Society, Manitoba Naturalists Society (President, 1974-1975), Winnipeg Amateur Movie Makers, and Rock and Mineral Society. He died at Winnipeg on 11 October 2013.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 19 October 2013.

We thank Frances Kasper for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 1 April 2023

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.

Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:

Custom Search

Browse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Browse deaths occurring in:
1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024


Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca

Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements

Help us keep
history alive!