William Robert Edelen

William Robert Edelen, 56, died of a heart attack at his home in Wasilla, on Feb. 17, 2006. A memorial service will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery Pavilion. Those who are planning to attend the service need to meet at the Arctic Valley Gate of Fort Richardson at 2:30 pm for security clearance to the cemetery.

Mr. Edelen was born April 29, 1949, in Portland, Ore. He was a graduate of East High School in Anchorage. His grandparents homesteaded in Kenai, and his family is now in its fifth generation in Alaska. He lived in Wasilla at the time of his death.

Mr. Edelen served in the Alaska Army National Guard from September 1966 to June 1967. He served in the U.S. Army from June 1967 to June 1970. He served in Vietnam in 1967-1968 in the Ninth Infantry Unit 4/47. He was an expert marksman with the M-16, the M-14, and the .45 pistol. He was a recipient of the National Service Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal w/ Device, the Vietnam Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Unit Citation and The Gallantry Cross w/ Bronze Star.

Mr. Edelen was employed with Alaska Teamster. Some of his hobbies included NRA, NHL, hunting, fishing, skeet, skydiving and all things Alaskan.

His family stated, &#8220William R. Edelen has yet to finish his stay. He was a war veteran, a friend, a father, a grandfather, nephew, uncle, brother, son and a cousin, the epitome of the Alaskan man, wild, fearless and funny. His heart was the pipeline of his family and friends. He's only finished his first chapter. He will dearly be missed by those he touched and loved. Happy hunting dad, save some for us. His gallantry cross was awarded him when, after his platoon was ambushed and pinned down, Sgt. Edelen charged the machine gun emplacement with his 40mm grenade launcher and subsequently eliminated the enemy position, relieving his platoon with no losses.”

Mr. Edelen is survived and adored by many: one son, three daughters, seven grandchildren, four sisters, one brother, his dad, many aunts and uncles and cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Yvonne Rose Marie Powell, and his grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the diabetes association. In accordance with his wishes, his son will make one last jump over the state that he loved.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.