Colonel William Hiram Minnis MSM, CD

It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of William Hiram “Bill” Minnis of Mt Buchanan, PEI on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, in Merida, Mexico at the age of 82.

Bill was the eldest son of Hiram and Mona Minnis.
If ever there was a soldier’s soldier it was Colonel Bill Minnis. Married to his lifelong partner Brenda, they
left their mark throughout the USA, Vietnam, Canada, Europe and Middle East. He was commissioned as a
Second Lieutenant in 1959 in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

By 1979, he was a Lieutenant-Colonel
commanding the Second Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Winnipeg. It is said soldiers follow their leader just because he is the boss. However, in Bill’s case they followed him because
they respected his leadership example, admired him, and would follow him to hell and back if that is what
he wanted. Bill spent the remainder of his 36-year career in Europe and the Middle East at demanding
positions with NATO and the United Nations.

During the culmination of his career, he served Canada so very well as the Military Attaché with his intimately involved spouse Brenda. During his time in Israel, he
was on the receiving end of SCUD missiles launched from Iraq during Gulf War One. It is well known just for spite they observed the incoming munitions accompanied by some embassy staff from the nightly happy hours arranged on the roof of the Canadian Embassy – when many others determined the basement was a better option.

Bill served as the President of the Army Cadet League of PEI for many years. He took great pleasure in
working with youth and developing future leaders. He also served as the Honorary Colonel of the Prince
Edward Island Regiment. Bill was instrumental in initiating the service memorial fountain located near
Province House in Charlottetown.