Michael Vial

Willow resident Michael Vial, 71, died unexpectedly on March 29th, 2023. Michael was born on May 27th, 1951, in Missoula, Montana to Velda and Virgil Vial. In 1956 his family moved to Anchorage, Alaska where he became a lifelong Alaskan resident. He enjoyed playing in the high school band and playing basketball. He graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1969.

In the 70’s and 80’s, Michael worked at VF Grace in Anchorage where he met his first wife. On April 28th, 1979, Michael married Jenifer Joey Dean. Over the course of their marriage, they moved to Willow, had four children, operated a gold mine from 1980-2000, and welcomed four grandchildren. In 2009, Michael was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent chemotherapy, back surgery, a stem cell harvest, and a transplant of his stem cells. After the unexpected death of his wife Jenifer in 2011, Michael spent a great deal of time with close friends: Jim and Verna Armstrong. They were a constant support as he continued through treatment and recovery. Shortly after, his cancer was in remission.

In the spring of 2019, Michael found love again! He flew to Hawaii to meet Faauuga. It was love at first sight. Fa and Michael were married on October 27th, 2019.

Fa and Michael shared a passion for travel. In recent years they traveled to Hawaii, Florida, Samoa, New Zealand, and even a cruise to the Caribbean. They loved the warm weather, dipping their toes in the sand, trying new foods, and having a drink in their hand to relax with. While at home they loved gardening, enjoying a root beer float, and laughing with family and friends.

Michael Vial was a very hard-working man. In his lifetime, he wore many hats; truck driver, heavy equipment mechanic/operator, welder, and many more. He also worked for himself as a snow remover, assisted with two family-owned businesses: Vial Trucking and AU Mining, along with working for lifelong friends. In recent times, if he wasn’t working at Newman’s Hilltop turning a wrench, he was at home working on improvements for the house.

Michael also had a passion for hot rods and motorcycles. In 1988 he bought himself a ‘57 Chevy Belair he called “Koolblue 57”. The years and natural elements were not kind to “Koolblue 57”. It was his dream to fix her up and get her back on the road. During Michael’s life he owned many motorcycles. In his later years, he loved riding around Willow on sunny days enjoying the fresh air.

Michael will be missed for his gentle demeanor, his love for family cook outs in the sun, his talent for storytelling, and his enthusiasm for snacks (specially oatmeal raisin cookies, peanut M&Ms, and red vine licorice). Michael always found time to enjoy family dinners, sports events for his (now 12) grandchildren, or give a quick call to just check in with a loved one.

Michael is survived by his wife Faauuga Tolman-Vial of Willow. His children; Suzanne (Ian) Steed of Meadow Lakes, Sandie (Bud) of Wasilla, Steven (Ashton) of Wasilla, Samantha of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and stepdaughter Suni Tolton of Seattle, Washington. Grandchildren; Sean Davis and Travis, Robyn, Emma, and Ariel Steed of Meadow Lakes. Elaina Herdina of Anchorage. Gage, Jenifer and Paige Brown of Wasilla. Darren and Jaxson Vial of Wasilla. Aurora Evenson of West Virginia; and Oscar and Spencer Tolton of Seattle, Washington. He is also survived by his Uncle Bert Bower of Spokane, Washington. Uncle David (Doral) Vial of Hamilton, Montana and sister-in-law Connie Vial of Homer. His nephews, Andrew Vial of Alaska and Wyatt Vial of Portland, Oregon and many other extended families in Alaska, Montana, Washington, Hawaii, Samoa, and New Zealand.

Preceding his death were his first wife Jenifer Vial, his father Virgil Vial, mother Velda Vial, his sister Karen Upchurch, his brother Mark Vial, and his niece Kimberly Neuman.

A celebration of life service in honor of Michael will be on Saturday April 22nd at 10:00am at the Willow Community Center. Potluck style, please bring a dish to share in the memory of Michael.

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