William Bintner

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the sudden passing of Bill (William) Bintner, of Saskatoon, SK, on August 15, 2024, at the age of 73.

Bill is survived by Tsering, his life partner of 20 years, and her three adult children: Christopher, Jennifer, and Gregory, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his daughter, Alexa Hainsworth, and her husband, Cameron Melville; his son, Jody McNabb, and granddaughter, Emma; and his siblings and their spouses: Donna Nairn (Gene Kalinka), Bernard Bintner (Peggy Hamilton), Wickey Wallace, Lawrence Bintner (Marlene Bintner), Richard Bintner (Mary-Beth Bintner), Claire Lepage, Merle Bonke (Eric Bonke), and Ingrid Currie (Rob Currie).

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at a later date.

Born and raised in Regina, Bill was one of nine siblings. He attended Campbell Collegiate, where he excelled in wrestling, football, and track and field. After high school, he worked in the Thompson mine for a year, saving enough to return to the land, a lifelong dream. Even as a young man, Bill was known for his quiet introspection, viewed by those around him as deeply intuitive and independent. It was not uncommon for him to remark that he felt as if he were from another universe. He cherished his bonds with each of his siblings and loved reminiscing about their early years together.

Bill was a pioneer in the bison industry in Saskatchewan. His passion for bison was sparked in 1971 after visiting Roy Houck's South Dakota ranch. Driven by the vision of bringing bison back from extinction in Canada, Bill acquired his first herd in 1981 from Durham Bison Ranches in Wyoming. Along with his brother Richard, he established the Barrier River Bison Ranch near Melfort, Saskatchewan. In 1982, he organized the first-ever bison show at Regina Agribition, playing a key role in having bison designated as livestock in Saskatchewan. He was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Chapter of the Canadian Bison Association in 1991. With his determination, perseverance and his natural affinity with bison, he became one of the main bison breeders in the 1990s. He won the 1996 Grand Championship of the American Bison Association Bison show in Denver, Colorado. Many of his bison went on to win awards throughout Canada and the US, including such names as Mr. Big, Sasquatch and Big Guy. Bill had a unique ability to understand and handle bison without conventional livestock equipment, earning him the nickname "Buffalo Whisperer" from the Indigenous people of the Kinistin Band. He often said that it was the bison who taught him how to handle them, and his deep connection with these animals shaped his identity. His respect for nature was evident in all aspects of his life.

Bill was also a dedicated environmentalist, who walked the talk. He maintained his bison ranch as a natural parkland where wildflowers bloomed and his bison roamed freely. He found peace in the beauty of the trees, wild grasses, and marshlands surrounding him. Just before retiring from bison ranching, Bill preserved a section of his property for nature conservation with the help of the Saskatchewan Nature Conservancy and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Society. He was told that he owned the largest privately held boreal forest in Saskatchewan, a fact that filled him with pride. He took great satisfaction in knowing that future generations would enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the land, along with its wildlife.

In 2005, Bill met the love of his life, Tsering Mullens. Their connection was deep and profound, and they spent their time tending to their garden, walking the Meewasin Trails, and hiking mountain paths in Banff and Vancouver Island. They visited and hiked scenic spots like Johnston Canyon, Sulphur Mountain, Holland Creek, and Misty Bay, and traveled abroad to Cuba, Mexico, and California. One of their most memorable experiences was hiking the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel and Canyon Ridge trails. A special moment was attending a public talk by the Dalai Lama in Calgary in 2009, where they received a personal blessing. Bill found great joy in his retirement, particularly through his interactions with newcomers from diverse backgrounds. Through Tsering's diverse communities, he had the opportunity to meet immigrants from around the world, building strong friendships that enriched his life. These relationships brought him immense joy and a renewed sense of purpose, offering a vibrant social circle that he deeply cherished.

Bill will be remembered as a man of few words, but whose actions spoke volumes. He was guided by his strong intuition and a generous heart. Rather than offering material gifts, he preferred to lend a hand, whether it was offering advice or fixing a mechanical issue. He took great pride in his work, always ensuring things were done meticulously, "The Bill Way." Gardening was a particular passion, and he took delight in watching his plants grow, sharing the harvest with friends and family.

Though Bill is no longer with us, his spirit remains connected to the wild lands and the creatures he loved. He believed deeply in the interconnectedness of all life. Bill reminds us to appreciate the beauty of nature and to never forget our connection to the wilderness.