Suddenly on Monday, March 15, 1999, while vacationing in Florida with his wife and friends, Rev. Bill Hildebrandt, aged 62 years, of Steinbach, passed away in Stuart, Florida.
Besides his loving wife Helen, his memory will be cherished by son Mark, and daughters Denise and Karla, and their respective spouses, as well as two granddaughters Carey and Ashley.
Bill was born at New Bothwell, MB to Peter and Elizabeth Hildebrandt and lived in the Steinbach area all his life. In 1958 Bill married Helen Kehler and together they established their home in Steinbach where Bill took up employment at Derksen Printers, remaining on the job for 43 years, retiring just a year ago.
In 1972, the family moved to Germany, where Bill worked with Janz Team Ministries, setting the stage for a life of Christian service to follow. In 1974, the family returned to Steinbach and his former job.
It was on September 5, 1976; that Bill was ordained as a Minister in the Chortitzer Mennonite Conference and shortly after that, on October 9, 1983 was ordained as the Bishop of the entire CMC Conference of churches throughout Manitoba, with additional churches in Saskatchewan and Northern British Columbia. This was a position he held for over 18 years. It was a busy life, since Bill was still employed by Derksen Printers. Bill served on various Boards of Christian organizations, but somehow, always found time to spend with his family.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, March 31, 1999 at the Steinbach CMC Church with Rev. Stan Kehler and Rev. Dick Wiebe officiating. Interment followed in the Steinbach Heritage Cemetery.
“For I am convinced that neither death, not life…shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38 & 39)
