WILLIAM ORVILLE PLATE

William “Bill” Orville Plate, 90, died Oct. 1, 2010, at his son’s home in Soldotna. He was blessed with good health and a clear memory his whole life. Bill was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

Bill was born Aug. 21, 1920, in a log cabin on a horse ranch near Billings, Mont., to August L. and Ellen D. “Eddy” Plate. Bill was an only child and spent most of his childhood living with his grandparents in South Dakota.

Looking for adventure, Bill joined the U.S. Navy on Dec. 27, 1939, and spent two years on the Navy Cruiser USS Boise as a machinist’s mate second class. In November 1941, Bill was transferred to the Naval Air Station on Wake Island, where he helped fight against a Japanese invasion when World War II broke out in the Pacific Dec. 8, 1941. Bill was taken as a prisoner of war (POW) on Dec. 23, 1941. During the war he was held in various prison camps in China and Japan until Sept. 15, 1945 when he returned home a war hero.

For his courageous military service during World War II, Bill received the Presidential Unit Citation, U.S. Navy Expeditionary (Wake Island), American Defense, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Purple Heart, U.S. Navy Good Conduct (twice), POW, and other medals.

Bill married Darladean “Deanie” DeHart at the DeHart farm near Jacobsen, Minn., July 6, 1949, and celebrated their 61st anniversary in 2010. They had five children — Dale, Vicki, Ron, Ric and Becki. They moved to Alaska in May 1973 after Bill retired from the U.S. Post Office at the age of 52. Bill also retired from the State of Alaska at the age of 69, where he worked as a supply officer and warehouseman for the Alaska Division of Forestry.

Bill loved living in Alaska where he became a private pilot and enjoyed flying around the state. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his wife and family. Bill was active in his church, compassionate with everyone and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He was committed to teaching his family about the love of Jesus and he lived a Christian life after accepting Jesus as his Savior on Jan. 22, 1956.

Bill is survived by wife, Darladean; and children, Dale Plate (Barbara) of Soldotna. Vicki Aultman (Calvin) of Grand Rapids, Minn., Ron Plate (Winnie) and Ric Plate (Jean) also of Soldotna, and John Soulak of Wasilla. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Becki Soulak, on Sept. 29, 2008, and granddaughter, Kari Murray, on July 29, 2008.

A memorial service for Bill was Oct. 6 at the First Baptist Church of Wasilla. A military honor ceremony immediately followed the memorial service at the Aurora Cemetery. Pallbearers were sons Dale Plate, Ron Plate and Ric Plate, son-in-law John Soulak and grandsons Mike Plate, Tim Fritzler, Caleb Plate and Joshua Plate.

If you desire to send flowers, the family requests carnations in patriotic colors (red and white flowers) to the First Baptist Church of Wasilla.