Gregory Stuart Bill

Gregory Stuart Bill, 70, passed away at his home with his loving

family at his side on December 10, 2016 in Palmer, Alaska.

Public wake (closed casket) will be held 2-5pm on Thursday, December

15, 2016 at Janssen’s Mat-Su Funeral Home – 6901 E. Blue Lupine Drive,

Palmer, AK.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:00am on Friday, December 16, 2016 at St.

Michael’s Catholic Church – 432 E. Fireweed Ave, Palmer, AK. Fr.

Jaime Mencias will be officiating. Greg will be buried at Ft.

Richardson’s National Cemetery with Military Honors at 1:00pm

following the service.

Greg was born on January 27, 1946 in Easton, Pennsylvania to John &

Florence (Schmickle) Bill.

Greg graduated from Nazareth High School in Pennsylvania and soon

after served his country in the United States Army (1965-1967). He

was a Vietnam Era Veteran, who served at Walter Reed Army Medical

Center in Washington D.C. During his service he was awarded the

National Defense Service Medal.

After serving his country Greg moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1968. He

later moved to Palmer, Alaska in 1984. While in Alaska Greg worked

for the AL French Company (1968-1984) and eventually retired from the

Iditarod Trail Committee (1984-2014). He was very proud to have been

presented with the Herbie Nayokpuk Spirit of Iditarod Award in 2014.

Greg attended and was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic

Church in Palmer, Alaska. He enjoyed family camping, kayaking, big

game & duck hunting, photography & videography, and of course

practical jokes!

The family wrote: “In 1968, Greg drove to Alaska in a pickup to seek

adventure and decided to stay. He loved everything about the state—its

people, its beauty, and its boundless opportunities. He was an avid

supporter of the Iditarod Trail Race and proudly called his 42 years

of service there “one great ride.” But the joys of Iditarod were

nothing compared to the joys and adventure of family life in Alaska.

From camping trips at Byers Lake to ballet recitals, adventures in

Hawaii to school concerts, he was an adoring and devoted husband,

father, and friend. He was always ready with a joke and his laugh and

sense of humor will be remembered and sorely missed. He died at home

surrounded by his wife, daughter, and two cats.”

Greg is survived by his loving wife, Annie Bill; his daughter, Meghan

Bill; brother, Michael Bill of Rochester, NY; brother, Robert Bill of

Stroudsburg, PA; many brothers- and sisters-in-law; and numerous

nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Greg to:

-Southwest Indian Foundation (Education): www.southwestindian.com/foundation

-Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage, Alaska