Remembering William (Bill) Herbert Loewen

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra community was deeply saddened by the passing of William “Bill” Herbert Loewen on February 4, 2026. Bill was one of the WSO’s most dedicated champions, and his influence on the orchestra—and on Winnipeg’s cultural community—will be felt for generations.

For more than four decades, Bill supported the WSO with remarkable leadership, generosity, and commitment. He served as President and Chair of the WSO’s Board of Directors at pivotal moments in the orchestra’s history, helping guide the organization through both periods of growth and times of challenge. In recognition of his exceptional service, Bill received the WSO’s Golden Baton Award in 1998. In 2009, he and his late wife Shirley were named Directors Emeritus of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and WSO musicians honoured Bill as an honorary member of the orchestra.

Together, Bill and Shirley shared a deep commitment to supporting the arts in Winnipeg. Through their personal philanthropy and the W.H. & S.E. Loewen Foundation, they supported new commissions, championed initiatives such as the Winnipeg New Music Festival, contributed during financially challenging periods, and helped establish the WSO’s Legacy Circle planned giving program.

Bill’s lifelong dedication to the performing arts was recognized nationally in 2017 with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts. His many honours also included appointments to the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba.

Bill leaves an extraordinary legacy at the WSO and across Manitoba’s arts community. We are deeply grateful for his unwavering support and for the lasting impact he and Shirley made in ensuring that orchestral music continues to thrive in our community.

You can learn more about Bill’s relationship with music in the National Film Board of Canada short documentary Music in the Prairie Night.