William Nixon

William James Nixon, 76, died peacefully Sept. 10, 2010, at his Wasilla home, with friends and loved ones by his side.

Bill was a longtime Alaska resident. He lived in many places and was known by many names. In the U.S. Army stationed in Delta Junction as a communication switchboard operator, he was known as "Red." As the owner of a longtime street-sweeping business in Anchorage, he was known as "The Street Sweeper Guy."

Most recently, he was retired and living in Wasilla. He traveled to and from the Anchorage Market and Festival and many more events around Alaska as a food vendor known as "The Funnel Cake Man."

Bill loved being his own boss and making his own decisions. He also loved to be in a vehicle of any kind; the longer the road trip, the happier he was.

He loved trains of any kind and collected model trains for many years. He liked cats; he had a cat that drove with him everywhere, including sweeping the Anchorage streets. Bill loved to garden and had many rose gardens throughout the years. He was very particular about his gardens. They were always full, beautiful and well-maintained. His roses will be missed by many.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Hilda Holmes; and father, Charles Nixon.

He is survived by his sister, Dorthy Squance; niece, Lynn Squance; and cousins, Linda Corcoran, Brian Holmes and Barry Martin, all of Canada.

Bill will be missed by all his family and friends. He was strong, feisty and always ready for conversation and coffee. So come join us at Bill's favorite restaurant, the Roadside Inn on the Parks Highway, just past Pittman Road, at 9 a.m. Wednesday to share memories about "There Goes the Funnel Cake Man."

His family suggests memorial donations in Bill's name to any organization involved in cancer research or care.