Katrina Boguski
Freelance
Madawaska Valley – Mayor of Madawaska Valley Mark Willmer told The Valley Gazette, “Although I didn’t know Bill well, I have a history with Bill dating back to the late 1990s as we both sat on the county’s Economic Development Committee. At the time I was representing Arnprior.” Willmer said, “Bill was a quiet, caring person who could navigate the political channels to achieve his and the community’s goals, he fought hard for what he believed in and was a good leader.”
Willmer added, “He improved life in the community by being a progressive and prominent leader. He was a wonderful part of the Madawaska Valley community and he will be dearly missed. I offer my sincere and deepest condolences to Elaine and his entire family.”
A social media post from the County of Renfrew also acknowledged Bill’s death saying, “The County of Renfrew has lowered the flags to half-mast to honour the passing for former warden Bill Schweig.” Adding, “Bill Schweig served as Reeve of Radcliffe Township from 1992 to 2000, and in 2001 was elected the first Reeve of the newly formed Township of Madawaska Valley.”
Bill’s roots in the valley go back a few generations and Schweig Road in Combermere is named after his ancestors who settled in the area. A discussion with his widow Elaine Schweig, highlighted how important the valley and its people were to Bill.
Elaine summed up the driving force that led Bill to be of such service to his community. She said, “He was very concerned about the people in the community and that was it.”
“He met people easily. He liked people easily. He made friends easily.” She added that once you were a friend of Bill you were always a friend.
To many members of his extended family, he was always known as “Uncle Billy” and many of Bill’s relationships with friends and family went back to childhood. Bill’s habit of building relationships continued on throughout his life, even when he became ill. Elaine said that she was very touched to receive a call offering condolences from a man who had been Bill’s companion in the hospital. Although both men were very ill and going through a rough time, Bill’s natural ability to form friendships continued on even through this phase of his life.
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