ROGER A. WILLIAMS

Wasilla resident Mr. Roger Alan Williams, 59, died at home of natural causes Jan. 21, 2004.

A Celebration of Life service was held at noon Wednesday at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave. in Wasilla. Dale Snelson officiated.

Mr. Williams was born Nov. 16, 1944, in Grand Junction, Colo. He came to Alaska with his family in May of 1960 and had lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Big Lake and Wasilla.

He was a 1962 graduate of West High School in Anchorage, graduating a year early because of his academic achievements, and he was a graduate of Anchorage Community College.

Mr. Williams served in the Army National Guard.

During his working career he worked as a laborer, a mechanic and as a warehouse manager.

Mr. Williams' interests included mountain climbing, traveling in Alaska, all sports, cabin building and making new friends from Prudhoe Bay to Prince of Wales Island.

His family wrote, "Roger made many friends in his journey through life and was loved by all. He had several pets from dogs to cats at the same time. They all lived in harmony with love and respect for one another. He had a white pet pig named Boy George and a white German shepherd who thought they were related. Roger made several sacrifices for his pets. Roger will never be replaced in our hearts and will be greatly missed by all who had the chance to meet him."

Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his father Harley D. Williams, who died in 1965.

He is survived by his mother Sandra Williams-Crossley; brother Larry Eldon Williams; uncle Tony Story; his ex-wife Kellie Gardner-Williams; and many aunts, uncles and cousins in the Lower 48.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.