William Dee Bentti

Wasilla resident William Dee Bentti, 50, died May 23, 2011, at his home due to a fall he took in his home, which resulted in a head injury.

Memorial services for William are at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 12, at Wasilla Bible Church with a gathering after the services at the family home, 6111 Steen St. For more information, call the family at 373-1145.

William was born in Palmer on June 24, 1960, the son of William D. and Edith (Corey) Bentti.

His family will remember him as a typical Alaskan who loved hunting and fishing, traveling the backcountry and sharing those interests with family and friends. He also loved to ride snowmachines, ATVs and motorcycles. In his travels he enjoyed the remoteness of the state traveling from parts of Southeast to the North Slope, where he worked as well. He loved sharing the things he loved to do with his sons William and Cody, and also enjoyed traveling with his parents and enjoyed the time they shared together.

William married his wife Pamela on May 27, 1993, and they would have celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary this year. Pamela is devastated by her loss, and the family Bill cared for so deeply is pulling together to support one another in their mutual loss. Bill was the type of person who called his family members daily when health or family challenges faced them. His mother, Eydie, was the light of his life — as he was to her — and his stepfather, Robert, was always there for the times they shared together. Bill would call him daily to talk with him, and Bill always had time to talk to him or take him where he needed to go. The caring between them was undeniable and Robert will miss the times they shared.

Bill’s sister, Debbie, wishes she could talk to her brother and protector who thought she could never do anything wrong. Bill’s children are devastated by his loss. His sons, Bill and Cody, were looking forward to helping their father build a garage for his interests in cars. His daughter, Eydie Marie, was excited to acquire a classic Chevy pickup and wishes she could have taken him for a ride in the pickup, which he would have loved. The Corey family, with whom his ties were strong, will all miss Bill tremendously.

Bill is survived by his wife, Pamela Bentti, and sons, William Shane Bentti and Cody Johnsen, all of Wasilla; daughter, Eydie Briley of Anchorage; and mother, Edith Baller and stepfather Robert Baller of Wasilla. He is also survived by his sister, Deborah Bentti of Eagle River; grandchildren, Ashton, Cruse and Jaida of Anchorage; niece, Savannah Lafram Boise of Anchorage; and nephew, Rob Bentti of Boston, Mass.

Surviving are his aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Corey of Palmer, Jack Corey of Wasilla, Frank Corey, Mr. and Mrs. Curt Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Windmiller of Sutton and Edward Smith Jr. of Honolulu.

Preceding him in death was his father, William D. Bentti.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla cared for the family.