WILLIAM J. KIRKENDALL

William J. Kirkendall, 78, died of cancer at home in Palmer, on Sept. 27, 2005.

At his request, no services will be held, but a gathering of family and close friends will be held at a later date. His ashes will be buried at Fort Richardson National Cemetery.

Mr. Kirkendall was born May 23, 1927, in Beattie, Kan. He was very proud to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He met his wife, Trudy, in Nome in 1950. They moved to Anchorage, where they raised their family and made it home for 47 years.

Mr. Kirkendall worked the early years in construction and 30 years at Anchorage Telephone Utility, until his retirement in 1995. In 1998, they moved to Palmer, where he could spend more time pursuing his hobbies.

His family wrote, "He loved to fish, garden, gourmet cook and make wine. He was very patriotic and had a great love of our country.

"He loved his family dearly and was proud of them all. He always said he was lucky to have such a wonderful family. We will all miss him."

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Trudy; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Mark Eliason; son, James Ollie Kirkendall; daughters, Leola Monfrey and Gayle Kirkendall, all of Anchorage, and daughter, Hally Kirkendall of Plano, Texas. He also leaves his sister, Donna Russell; grandchildren, Brian and Sarah Kirkendall, Jason Eliason, and Kathleen and Callie Monfrey, and nieces, Margaret Lindsey and Donna Jo and Wendy Russell. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030, or Valley Health Services' Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, AK 99654-7234.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.