Obituary of William Blake Harris

William Blake Harris, beloved husband of Jean, passed away suddenly on January 30, 2023 at Yorkton Hospital with his family at his side; he was 84 years of age. A Funeral service will be held at a later date. If friends so wish, donations may be made to Westview United Church (355 Bradbrooke Dr, Yorkton, SK S3N 2K7), Canadian Diabetes Association (1300-522 University Ave.Toronto, ON M5G 2R5, allocated to Saskatchewan region) or Harris’ Hope Foundation (c/o J. Pattison Children’s Hospital) 807 Glacial Shores Manor, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7W 0R4, Canada, www.hhfyxe.ca. William Blake Harris was born in Yorkton, Sask., the youngest child of William and Florence Harris, on March 7, 1938. He attended school in Yorkton, at Victoria School and later Yorkton Collegiate Institute. He loved to be on the land and was destined to take up farming. He came home from school one day discouraged with his mathematics teacher and that was when he was starting his farming career. This was at the young age of 17 and he never looked back. In 1960, he married Jean Wiseman. In 1961, they welcomed their first son Blaine, and short time later a second son, Blair, was born. They took over the family dairy and then moved to raising pigs and beef cattle. Eventually transitioned to solely grain farming, growing wheat, barley, oats and canola. In 2012, they received a Saskatchewan Century Farm Award, which is proudly displayed in their yard. Blake was very community-minded; he was a member of the Yorkton Exhibition Association for 10 years, and then served with the Yorkton Lions Club for over 40 years. He spent leisure time curling, golfing, camping, downhill skiing, and travelling. Trips were made with his wife Jean to Australia, New Zealand, and the United States including Alaska by land and sea. They also visited the maritime provinces to see their glorious fall colours. Many other excursions were made throughout western Canada as well, to visit relatives and to ski in the mountains. He enjoyed his daily Tim Hortons “Agricultural Conferences” where world problems were attempted to be solved with a jolt of caffeine. He was predeceased by his loving parents William and Florence, brother Clive and sister Myrna (Gottfried), mother-in-law Edna Wiseman, sister-in-law Beverly Orth, brother-in-law Terry Wiseman, granddaughter Tenille Bryanton, and great-grandson Harris Stumborg. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Jean; sons Blaine (Cheryl) and Blair (Dolores). Blaine’s daughters: Brittany (Jason Bunch), great-grandchildren Oliver and Emilia; Stephanie (Corey Hornick), and great-grandsons Houston and Granger. Blair’s daughter: Wendi (Drew Stumborg) and great-granddaughters Aurora, Behati and Isla; and Adam Bryanton and great-granddaughters Harlow and Averie. He is also missed by his brother-in-law Glenn Wiseman and sister-in-law Elaine Clarke. Service Details. Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Orders begin printing on February 16 Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of William Blake Harris March 7, 1938 - January 30, 2023 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book