Walter Thomas Williams

Walter Thomas Williams, 91, a longtime Palmer resident, died Jan. 8, 2010 at his residence.

The funeral services will be held today at 1 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home, 2020 N. Hemmer Road in Palmer. Officiating will be Hospice Chaplin Stuart Mitchell and Pastor Tom Hoffman. Masonic services will also be held. Graveside services will be held following the funeral in the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.

Mr. Williams was born on April 24, 1918, in Charlestown, S.C., to Frank and Ada (Thomas) Williams. The family moved to Ft. Collins, Colo., when Mr. Williams was 2. He graduated from Colorado State University, receiving his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering.

He was married to Mary Elizabeth Spence on Oct. 15, 1943 in Denver, Colo., where they resided until moving to Alaska in June 1960. He was the superintendent of the Aklutna Power Plant and area manager for Alaska power administration until his retirement in 1974. After he retired from the power plant, he worked for MEA for several years. He also spent several years in the Army and National Guard.

Mr. Williams is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Debra Wickersham of Silt, Colo.; daughter Cynthia Williams of Washington, D.C.; son and daughter-in-l aw Tom and Bonita Williams of Seattle; sister Mildred Williams Hockin; and seven nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary.

He had many interests and activities. Among those were his family, friends and his pets. He was a small-aircraft pilot and the captain of a pleasure boat. He was an avid collector of both stamps and rocks. He also enjoyed photography, gardening, four-wheeling and astronomy. Mr. Williams was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping, as well as prospecting for gold. He was a member of the Matanuska Masonic Lodge 293 and served as Worshipful Master in 1972. Mr. Williams also belonged to the Shriners, the Kiwanis and the Elks. He also coached his son’s Little League team many years ago.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Palmer.