ARTHUR WILLIAM SMITH

Former Willow resident Arthur William Smith, 76, died June 19, 2004, at his home in Willow, of a heart attack.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held at the Upper Susitna Senior Center in Talkeetna at 2 p.m. on July 23. Pastor John Mortensen will be officiating.

Mr. Smith was born Dec. 14, 1927, in South Dayton, N.Y. He had a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering at Utilities Engineering Institute in 1947, specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. He was in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1944 to 1946 and in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955.

Mr. Smith began his residency in Anchorage in 1957. He lived there until 1966, when he moved to Chugiak, and then moved to Willow in 1968. He was self-employed as a master guide and was a refrigeration company owner. He retired from guiding and hunting in 1990.

Mr. Smith was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association. He had numerous awards from schools, museums and banks. He was a contributor to the Smithsonian museum. His hobbies were hunting, fishing and geochemical prospecting.

His son said, "My dad was a kind and caring man. He made friends easily. He was generous to all. His true love was hunting and fishing. My dad and I went through the earthquake together. His ability to tell stories always kept everyone in awe on the wilderness of Alaska and prospecting.

His family will miss him dearly. His friends will miss his presence. I love you, dad; we love you, Grandpa Smitty."

Mr. Smith is survived by his only son, Mark C. Smith, of Talkeetna; grandchildren, Mark C. Smith Jr. of Clarksburg, W.Va., Virginia and Joshua D. Smith of Talkeetna and Abigail K. Smith of Talkeetna.

His family requests flower donations for the service.

Mr. Smith's ashes will be spread in Iniskin Bay, Alaska.

Arrangements were handled by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.