WILLIAM R. JACOB

William R. Jacob, 67, died Dec. 6, 2004, at his home in Palmer, with his family beside him, after a lengthy illness. No services are planned.

Mr. Jacob was born Dec. 7, 1936, in Spokane, Wash., and moved to Alaska in 1944. He graduated from high school in Fairbanks about 1954 and served as a combat engineer in the Army Reserves at Fort Richardson from 1956 to 1962.

Mr. Jacob moved to Anchorage in 1968, to Eagle River in 1970 and has lived in Palmer since 1982.

He joined Local #302 in 1956 as a heavy-duty operating engineer at Fort Richardson for 29 years and retired in 2003 after receiving a number of work-related award certificates.

His family wrote, "Our father will be heartfully missed dearly -- his words of wisdom, his loving heart, generosity to many a man who never gave up, even at the end. Many memories to have and to hold forevermore by family and close friends. 'Keep the faith,' he said, 'Take it one day at a time.'"

He is survived by his daughters, Natosha Jacob, Vicki Jacob of Palmer, Monique Jacob of Michigan and Lori Jacob of California; son, William R. Jacob Jr. of California; grandchildren, Brianna Jacob, Zachary Jacob-Bowers, Steven and Holly of California, Justice Maxwell and Claire Greib of Michigan and a sister, Stephana Wright of Fairbanks.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeffie Jacob.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.