Karl W. Caswell

Karl W. “Bill” Caswell beloved husband and father went to be with the commander of us all on July 7 following a blessedly short bout with cancer.  Bill was born in Lebanon, Ore., Dec. 15, 1934 to Karl W. and Natalia Munyon Caswell. Bill served in the Navy from 1951 to 1971, serving both in Korea and Vietnam. After his service in the Navy, Bill became a police officer serving in Kodiak, Grangeville, Idaho, and Palmer.

He was the food service manager at Palmer Corrections for 10 years retiring from the state in 1991.

He worked as a security officer at a gold mine for two years and at the Valdez oil terminal for three years.

He worked as a security guard at the federal building in Anchorage for 10 1/2 years.

Bill has been an American Legion member for 29 years and served as Post 33 Commander, Western District Commander, and as Department Commander 1998-1999. He has been a member of the Alaska Boys State staff since 1986 and has served as the director / co-director since 1991. Bill was a VFW member for 26 years, a member of the Moose Lodge in Palmer since 1978 and a lifetime member of the Elks.

He is a lifetime member of the NRA. Bill has been an active member of Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Palmer since 1977 and has served on the Meier Lake Board for about 10 years.

While in the Navy Bill, although rated as a cook/baker, also served as Shore Patrol and Military Game Warden at several duty stations throughout his years of service.

For many years he was a 4-H leader and taught cake decorating to many youth and worked with livestock and was also a judge at many fairs in different areas.

Bill is survived by his wife of 33 years, Susan, sister Caroline Beaton of Eugene, Ore., son Robert Caswell of Mt. Vernon, Wash., son Jeffrey Caswell and wife Val, of Portland, Ore., daughter Penny Mazonna of Palmer, grandchildren Patty Mazonna, Shelia Maia and husband Danny, James Caswell, and Zac Caswell, step-son Andrew Roberts, step-son Don Roberts and wife Rhonda, step-grand children Justin Jensen and wife Keshia, Justina Sevok and husband Ernest, and Jonas Jensen and four great-grandchildren and a huge extended family.

Memorial services will be held today at 1 p.m. at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church and at 5:30 p.m. at Peters Creek American Legion Post 33. Interment will be at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church 323 N. Alaska St., Palmer, AK 99645 or to the Alaska Boys State Program, 1550 Charter Circle, Anchorage, AK 99508.

Sue and family would like to thank everyone that was there in our time of need.

Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home, Palmer.