Robert Arnold Williams

Robert Arnold Williams

Longtime Alaskan Robert Arnold Williams, 84, died peacefully Oct. 2, 2010, surrounded by family at St. Elias Specialty Hospital in Anchorage.

Robert fought a battle with lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension bravely to the end, the family wrote.

Funeral services will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer, with the Rev. Jonathan Rockey officiating. A visitation is at 2 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery followed by a church reception. Pallbearers will be Bob Williams, David Williams, Lance Swick, Ken Kelpe, Jason Collins, Kevin Williams and Alex McDowell.

Robert was born July 3, 1926, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to William and Eva Williams. One of five children, he grew up on the family farm and attended school in Gibbons, Alberta. At age 17 he joined the Canadian Navy and served in World War II.

Robert’s sense of adventure and love of logging brought him to Alaska in 1949. He started a one-man logging and sawmill operation in the Butte near Palmer and made logging his livelihood for more than 35 years. He also volunteered as a Butte firefighter for many years.

In 1959, Robert married his childhood Valentine and friend, Phyllis C. Williams. Together they enjoyed haying on their homestead near Wasilla, commercial fishing out of Seldovia and building two log homes from their own logs.

“Robert Williams has lived by example,” his family wrote. “In everything he did he was generous, kind, honest, loyal, respectful, humble and patient. He felt blessed in his marriage to Phyllis Williams and they happily celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary on Sept. 14. Through his loving marriage he developed his deep Christian faith that was so important to him. Recently, he reflected on his years as a logger. He loved to work. One of his fondest memories was seeing a large load of logs on his truck at the end of the day and knowing that he had accomplished it.”

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Joan Alward and Grace Williams; and brothers, Bill and Jim Williams, all of Alberta.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Williams; sons, Bob (Connie) Williams and David (Cheryl) Williams; daughter, Carla (Lance) Swick; nieces and nephews, Cynthia and Jason Collins, and Ken and Nicole Kelpe; grandchildren, Kevin and Cassidy Williams, and Alex and Kimberly McDowell; and many other Canadian relatives and friends.

The Williams family would like to thank Dr. Bilal Chaudhry for giving Robert hope with his “full-court press” treatment plan and Dr. Terry Lester and the staff at St. Elias Specialty Hospital for their exceptional health care and compassion. The Williams family is grateful for Robert’s quality of life and the extra time they were given to share memories, reflect and play their favorite card game, canasta. St. Elias was Robert’s “heaven on earth.”

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to St. John Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 774, 440 Elmwood, Palmer, AK 99645. Arrangements are entrusted to Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.