“Billy Neil” Silveira

Record-setting hunter “Billy Neil” Silveira, 71, died July 23, 2011, at his home in Palmer.

Billy’s family members, friends and neighbors knew him as an outdoorsman whose love of the wilderness brought him from California to Alaska in 1962 to settle new territory.

He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Grand Slam Club/Ovis, a nonprofit organization of hunter/conservationists dedicated to improving and perpetuating wild sheep and goat populations worldwide. A Grand Slam involves successfully chasing all four of the different North American wild sheep: Dall, Stone, bighorn and desert bighorn.

“He was proud to be among the elite hunters who’ve accomplished Grand Slams for sheep hunting in North America,” said his eldest son, Wayne Silveira. “He loved the thrill of his sport and being out in the fresh air.”

He was born Oct. 27, 1939, in Oakland, Calif. An industrial mobile equipment operator in civil service for the U.S. Army, he worked at Fort Richardson in Anchorage until he retired in 2001.

One of his favorite pastimes was spending time with his sons, Wayne and Todd, both of Orlando, Fla. The three traveled to Jamaica with friends in March and had vowed to set aside time every year for more adventures.

“Dad was a fun guy who knew how to make people laugh with his storytelling,” Todd Silveira said. “He was my best friend, and I’m really going to miss him.”

In addition to his sons, surviving are his wife, Virginia Estrada; sister, Sherri Ramsey; stepsons and their wives, Richard and Lenore Meers and Billy and Robin Meers; stepdaughters, Ramona Meers and Jonni Meers-Fletcher; grandchildren, Jacob, Cerena and Danielle Meers and Raemond, William and Jonathan Fletcher; and great-grandchildren, Sadie, Canaii and Paisleigh Meers.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Oleita and Manuel Frazier.

Billy will be cremated and scattered on Pioneer Peak, which he could see from his home.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.