William P. Owens

William P. Owens IV, 72, died Jan. 1, 2017 at home in Anchorage, Alaska.

A Celebration of Life will be at Palmer Elks Lodge #1842 on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. The Pot Luck Celebration will be a chance to come together to share memories and good times with Will. Bring a dish of your choosing. The Palmer Elks Lodge is located at 2600 N. Barry’s Resort Drive, Wasilla, Alaska 99645.

Will was born March 12, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri. Will graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri in June of 1967 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology. He served in the United States Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1973. Will graduated from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico in December 1980 with a Master of Arts Degree in Art Education.

Will had been a resident of Alaska since 1997 residing in Wasilla, Palmer, and Anchorage. Will worked at and retired from the Alaska Job Corps Center in Palmer, Alaska as a Drivers Education Teacher. Prior to that he had worked at the University of New Mexico as an Admissions Counselor. Will was the Chapter President of Mat-Valley Harley Owners Group and a long-term motorcycle enthusiast. He was a member of the Palmer Paws and Taws Square Dance Club.

His family wrote: “Will was quick with a joke and was always looking to make people smile.” He would give the shirt off his back to help friends and family. He loved to roam the highways and byways of the world, especially on his motorcycle and RV. He loved to take the roads off the beaten path. He told us he was never lost, just discovering new places to explore and get to know.”

Will is survived by his ex-wife and friend, Susan Owens, his children William P. Owens V (Jeanine), Reed Owens (Peggy), Christopher Owens, and Heather Dadey, his grandchildren Stephanie Poppe, William Owens VI (Toni), Nicholas Owens, Danielle Owens, Nicole Owens, Dawn Dadey, Sarah Dadey, Erica Dadey, and his great-grandchildren Audrey Owens and Rayshawn Dadey. Will will be buried near his family in Kidder Cemetery, Kidder, Missouri.

To share a message of condolences visit the online obituary at legacyalaska.com.