William Langdon Radcliffe

1938 - 2011

William Langdon Radcliffe died peacefully May 17, 2011, in Roslyn, Wash., at age 72. He lived in Fairbanks for 28 years. Bill was born May 24, 1938 in Pacific Grove, Calif. Bill deeply loved his parents William Franklin Radcliffe and Catherine Langdon Ayres Radcliffe. He had a half-sister Margaret "Dolly" Radcliffe Hufford.
He graduated from Monterey Union High School in 1956 while living in Carmel Valley, Calif. He joined the U.S. Navy Reserves while in high school and served for two years (1956-1957). In 1962, he moved to Mesa, Ariz., where he worked for Cudahe Foods Co.
In 1981, he moved to Alaska with his wife, Sharon, and stepdaughter, Mindi. He once recalled, "I never expected Sharon to say 'yes' when I asked her to move to Alaska." His friends affectionately called him "old Bill" and he had been a friend of Bill W. for 35 years. A humble man, Bill loved his family and friends with all his heart.
He was a husband, hobbyist gold miner, wood carver, avid reader and meat cutter for Quality Meat Co. He loved fishing on the Chatanika River. His love of animals, especially his cats, filled his life with joy.
Bill is going to be remembered most for always having a cat in his lap, his love of Mariachi band music, a love of coffee and food, his mind-blowing multiple sneezes, his chuckles that turned into gut-busting laughter that was contagious. Bill was a man of few words.
When he did have something to say, it was usually succinct and meaningful. It was comforting just sitting in the same room with him. Bill's treasures were his family and friends.
Bill died of brain cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a local hospice.
Bill is survived by wife, Catherine Lee Pace Radcliffe; daughter and son-in-law, Mindi Lee Settle Domitrovich and Patrick Frank Domitrovich of Chugiak (by previous marriage to Barbara Sharon Boofer Radcliffe of Fairbanks, who is deceased); son, Jeffrey Boyd Radcliffe of Mesa, Ariz.; and daughter Catherine Ruth Radcliffe Neagle of Mesa; Bill adored his grandchildren, Madison Lee and Michaela Nekol Domitrovich, Dustin and Jacqueline Neagle, and grandchild Mark Herrman (stepson to Jeff).
Those who knew Bill are invited to a celebration of life and potluck on Sunday afternoon, June 19, at the Dog Mushers Hall on Farmers Loop starting at 1 p.m. A brief service begins at 2 p.m. For more information call 322-3202.