Anthoney “Steve” Ledbetter

Anthoney “Steve” Ledbetter, 58, died April 22, 2013.

Steve was born Nov. 17, 1954, and grew up in Jacksonville, Ala., until he met and married the love of his life, Cathy. After they married, they moved to Wasilla. This is where they fell in love again, this time with the Alaska lifestyle, and they came to call it home.

His son, Zac, was born in Alaska and loves Alaska as much as his dad. Steve worked in the auto body business his whole life, with him owning and operating the business that he was so skilled at. The last 16 years were working and running Top of the World Auto Body in Wasilla.

Steve was well-known around the Wasilla area for his expertise and excellence work in repairing many people’s vehicles. He gained many friends through his business connections. Steve loved to hunt and fish with his son, Zac. He taught him the Alaskan way of enjoying the outdoors and all it has to offer. Hunting, fishing and exploring the great Alaska wilderness was very enjoyable to Steve. He always looked forward each year to the next big hunting trip or fishing trip with his son and friends.

Steve was very proud of and loved his son Zac dearly, and always enjoyed the time they spent together. Steve fought a hard battle against throat cancer that finally took him from us way too early. He fought this battle three times since 2002 until, present when it came back with a vengeance and was hard to overcome this time.

Cathy, his loving wife, stood by his side during all these hard times with treatments he faced during his long battle with cancer. Steve will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Cathy; son, Zac; along with his many family and friends in Alabama and his Alaska family (friends who over time became his family). Heaven will welcome Steve with open arms and he will live forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cathy (Prince) Ledbetter; son, Zachary (Zac) Ledbetter of Wasilla; mother, Doris Logean Ledbetter of Piedmont, Ala.; brother, Wayne Ledbetter of Jacksonville, Ala.; sisters, Charlotte Smith (brother-in-law Travis Smith) of Piedmont, Ala., and Vicky Ledbetter of Jacksonville, Ala.; sister-in-law, Denise Grubbs (brother-in-law Ralph Grubbs) of Alexandria, Ala.; brother-in-law, Steve Prince of Jacksonville, Ala.; and five nieces and four nephews.

A memorial service is from 2 to 4 p.m., May 19 at the Regan Building — in the octagon building.

Arrangements were with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.