Edgar "Bud" J. Best

Wasilla resident Edgar "Bud' John Best, 81, died at his home April 8, 2005. Visitation will be held from noon to

1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 16, at Valley Funeral Home Chapel in Wasilla. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. at the Wasilla Bible Church.

Mr. Best was born in Seattle on Aug. 13, 1923, where he was raised and graduated from South Kitsap High School.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946, working in the Navy yard in Bremerton, Wash. He moved to Alaska in 1961 to work at the Valley Christian Children's Home in the Mat-Su. Later in 1961, he homesteaded at Mile 62.3 Parks Hwy., lived on N. Birchwood Loop from 1966 to 1976 and moved back to the homestead from 1976 to 1988. From 1988 until his death, he lived in Wasilla.

He also worked for the Alaska Railroad, the Alaska Native Hospital, from which he retired, and owned and operated Best & Sons Plumbing & Heating from 1973 to 1983.

His family wrote, "In recent years, he was a volunteer at Valley Hospital, where he was known as the harmonica man who passed out Christian poems he had composed. He enjoyed sharing his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, writing poems, playing the harmonica for others, playing games with family and friends and carving diamond willow canes.

His family wrote, "He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior at the age of 27. It was his greatest joy in life to take every opportunity to share his love for the Lord Jesus. He established and was the director of Aw-Saw Bible camp on their homestead property and held Bible Camp for kids from 1968 to 1997. The family would love to hear from any former campers. Please write to the Bests, c/o the Fischers, at P.O. Box 874081, Wasilla, AK 99687."

He is survived by his wife, Gwen Best of Wasilla; brother, George Best of Brementon, Wash.; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Bob Janowitz of Kansas City, Mo., Grace Ann and Joe Hillyer of Soldotna, Faith Lynn and Elwyn Fischer of Wasilla; sons and daughters-in-law, Steve Best of Wasilla, Philip and Sue Best of West Salem, Wis., Mark Best of Wasilla, Nathan and Aimee Best of Antigo, Wis.; grandchildren, David Best and wife, Joey, Karen Best, Christina Best, Matthew Best, Anna Best, Isaac Best, April Best, Amber Best, Tabitha Karpow and husband, Tom, Calder Hillyer, Charlotte Hillyer, Heidi Hillyer, Levi Fischer, Rhoda Jewett and husband, Ryan, Luke Fischer, Simon Fischer and Jasper Fischer.

Donations may be made to Cornerstone Christian School, 4001 E. Darrington Village Ave., Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.