Dr. William (Bill) Eichhorst
Obituary
Peacefully on Thursday, May 1, 2025, Dr. William (Bill) Eichhorst left this world and was welcomed into the outstretched arms of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Born in 1932 near Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Bill was the youngest son in a farming family of nine siblings. He was fond of telling people that he came from a family of three brothers and that each brother had six sisters!!
The foundation of his life was set when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour after attending VBS as a boy. He had knelt by a manger in the family barn to acknowledge his need of salvation.
Bill is survived by his wife, Patty (Eales) of 68 years, his son, Mark (Kim); grandchildren – Seth (Clare), Rachel Smith (Titus), great-granddaughter Tabitha Rose Smith; sisters Elaine Penner and Betty Eichhorst and many nieces and nephews.
After completing high school in Yorkton, Bill enrolled at Millar College of the Bible in Pambun, SK. Following Millar, Bill taught grades one to nine at Herb Lake Landing in northern Manitoba. This was a year that tested his mettle as a Christian living in isolated locations.
To further his preparation for teaching in a Christian institution in Canada, he studied at Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas, and Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, IN. His goal to return to Canada was realized in 1962 when he began his teaching at Winnipeg Bible College.
It was at Northwestern College where Bill met the love of his life; and Patty has been at his side ever since. Bill’s love of quartet music led him to singing bass in the men’s quartet at NWC – Testimony Time Quartet. Patty was the pianist and the “rest is history!”
Over the next 40 years, as the college grew, changed locations and names, he remained committed to the importance of Christian higher education in Canada. Throughout his 40 years Bill served as Professor of Theology, Dean of Men, Dean of Students, founder and Dean of the Seminary, President (1979-1993), and Chancellor (1993-2002). Through all his years of teaching, his most loved Bible book to teach was the Book of Hebrews – the Supremacy of Jesus Christ. To Him be the Glory!
We will always cherish our memories of Bill as a husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
Life Bible verse: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” ~ Acts 20:24
The funeral service will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., with viewing held one hour prior to the service.
The interment will take place at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB.
