WILLARD C. "BILL" LARSON

Former Anchorage resident Willard Charles "Bill" Larson, 71, died of cancer July 29, 2003, at his Big Lake home surrounded by family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Aug. 4, at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, Mile 5 South Big Lake Road. Father Fred Bugarin will officiate. Public visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the service.

Mr. Larson was born March 25, 1932, in Oakland, Calif., to Willard C. and Margaret J. Secor.

He came to Alaska with his parents and sister Patricia, as a 3-year-old, on board the steam ship the "Aleutian." The family first moved to Palmer where they lived in a boxcar for a year before moving to Anchorage and living in a tent for a short while. His school years were spent in Anchorage and Palmer.

He married the love of his life LaVerne Denison on May 20, 1951, at Holy Family Cathedral.

They raised their family in the Spenard area before moving to Big Lake in 1978. Mr. Larson was a 33-year employee of the Alaska Railroad, as a brakeman-conductor, when he retired in January 1985.

During his retirement years, he enjoyed fishing with son Terry throughout Alaska and Kona, Hawaii, and sunsets at daughter Diane's home.

Mr. Larson was a lifetime member of the Anchorage Elks Lodge No. 1351 and the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.

His family said, "He was a proud Alaskan who enjoyed sharing it with family and friends. He was quick to lend a helping hand and his garage was always open. His children and grandchildren meant the world to him and time spent with them was his greatest joy. We will miss his unending love and support."

He was preceded in death by his father, Willard C. Secor, and adopted father, Selmer D. Larson.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, LaVerne M. Larson; son and daughter in-law, Terry and Rhonda Larson of Soldotna; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and John Kelly, of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; mother, Margaret J. Larson of Palmer Pioneers' Home; sister and brother-in-law Patricia (Pat Larson) and Gene Ulrich of Pahrump, Nev.; sister-in-law Shirley and husband, Arthur Hansen; grandchildren Sean and Avia Kelly, Carrie and Brock Madriaga, Kristina Kelly; great-grandchildren Ian Kelly and Alyssa Madriaga of Kailua Kona, Hawaii; nieces and nephews, Judy and Kurt Wilson, Scott Ulrich, Ruth Moore and Don Moore.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer, Wasilla AK 99654.

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