ARTHUR WILLIAMS SR.

Longtime Chickaloon resident Arthur J. Williams Sr., 55, died Feb. 25, 2004, at Willamette Valley Medical Center in Oregon.

A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday at Crossroads Community Church, 7010 E. Bogard Road, in Palmer. For directions, call 745-6701.

Mr. Williams was born Dec. 14, 1948, in Chicago.

In 1982 he moved to Alaska with his wife Anice and two of his children.

Mr. Williams started a painting business that he and his son, Larry Eaker, ran together. During the early '90s, Mr. Williams started his own mobile auto repair shop. He worked very hard and put in long hours, which gave the mobile repair shop the recognition it needed, and helped in the success of his business, his family wrote.

Mr. Williams enjoyed camping, fishing, boating and blowing off fireworks on the Fourth of July.

His family also wrote, "Art had a passion for dogs. He and his wife had more than 100 dogs at one point. He would never pass a stray dog without picking it up and bringing it home. If he couldn't find its owner, the dog would become the newest member of the 'Williams Clan.' Art was an easygoing, loving man. He was known as Papa to his grandchildren, all of whom he loved very much, and they him.

"In the past year, he made a wonderful change in his life; he became a minister, and he touched everyone who was close to him. He will remain in all of our hearts and will be missed by all who loved him. He was a loving husband and father, and that is how he will be remembered."

Survivors include his wife, Anice Williams of Chickaloon; daughters Chrissy Hunter of Anchorage and Wensdae Williams of Chicago; sons Larry Eaker of Wasilla and Arthur Williams Jr. and Jason Williams, both of Chicago; and eight grandchildren.