William Burton Fox

William Burton Fox, 75, of Hamilton, Mont., passed away Dec. 14 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital of natural causes. He was born March 24, 1933 in Newberry, Mich., the son of Waldo and Mable Fox.

He was 2 years old when his family colonized to the Matanuska Susitna Valley in Alaska. Bill resided and raised his own family there until his recent move to Hamilton. He was educated in Palmer public schools. Bill was drafted into the military in 1951 as a fireman and served at Fort Richardson Army Base until his honorable discharge in 1961. On Dec. 14, 1968, Bill married Dalene Higinbotham in Palmer.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cribbage and sharing stories over a cup of coffee with friends at local restaurants. He was a very loving man who enjoyed people. Bill always said, “A stranger is just a friend I haven’t met yet.

“His family, church, (Rainbow Bible Church in Wasilla), and his friends were a priority in his life. We will all miss his loving personality and tender smile.”

Survivors include his loving wife, Dalene, of Hamilton; his daughter, Jenni Sigman of Wasilla; two sons, Bill of Hamilton and Brian of Rathdrum, Idaho; two brothers, Art Fox of Wasilla and Ray Vanzon of Sedro Woolley, Wash.,; a sister, Klea Espy of The Dalles, Ore.,; and three grandchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m., at the Daly-Leach Chapel with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room. There will also be a service held in Palmer at a later date and will be announced.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Bill’s name to the Disabled Veterans of America (306 State Street, Hamilton, MT 59840.)

Raise a cup of coffee for Bill, and may the fish breathe a sigh of relief.

Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel.