In Memory of William (Bill) Herbert Loewen
- News
William (Bill) Herbert Loewen
July 28, 1930 – February 4, 2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s greatest champions, William “Bill” Loewen, on February 4th, 2026. Bill’s impact on the WSO — and on Winnipeg’s cultural community more broadly — was profound and lasting. For more than four decades, he provided the WSO with leadership, expertise, philanthropy, and steadfast encouragement.
Bill and Shirley Loewen (pictured) shared a lifelong commitment to the Winnipeg arts community.
Bill served as President and Chair of the WSO’s Board of Directors at pivotal moments in the orchestra’s history. In recognition of his exceptional service, he received the WSO’s Golden Baton Award in 1998. In 2009, Bill and his late wife Shirley were named Directors Emeritus of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and the musicians of the WSO voted to name Bill an honorary member of the orchestra.
Through personal giving and the W.H. & S.E. Loewen Foundation, Bill supported new commissions, sponsored initiatives such as the New Music Festival, contributed during times of financial challenge, and helped launch the WSO’s Legacy Circle planned giving program. His lifelong dedication to the arts was nationally recognized in 2017 with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts.
Recognized provincially and nationally — including appointments to the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba — Bill leaves a lasting legacy at the WSO and across Manitoba’s arts community. He will be deeply missed.
You can get a glimpse into Bill’s relationship with music and the vital role of arts supporters in the 2017 short documentary, Music in the Prairie Night. This project, supported by an all-Manitoba creative team, explores what it means to nurture creativity and see it grow.
You can view the film on the National Film Board of Canada’s website by clicking the button below.
