William George "Bill" Stroecker

William "Bill" George Stroecker, Fairbanks' best known civic leader since the days before statehood, passed away Monday, Nov. 8, 2010, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
Stroecker, 90, had been hospitalized on Oct. 30 following a heart attack. His hospital stay was marked by a steady flow of loving relatives and adoring Fairbanksans.
Born in Fairbanks on July 31, 1920, Stroecker had the rare distinction of never calling anywhere else home, leaving Fairbanks only in 1938 to attend New Mexico Military Institute and then again near the end of World War II when stationed in the Army at Grande Prairie, Canada as part of the Lend-Lease Program.
Following the war, the son and grandson of pioneer Alaskan families, became bookkeeper at First National Bank. He succeeded his brother, Ed, as president in 1967, remaining in that position until the bank was sold in 1978. Bill continued to serve as vice president of public relations at the First National successor, Key Bank, until entering the hospital. Over all the years Bill was a familiar sight to Fairbanksians trudging to and from work in his long raccoon coat and hat.
Charming to the core, the rugged Stroecker enjoyed a wide-range of activities. His musical talents are legend as he played his trumpet at local dances and functions. He played regularly in recent years with a jazz band known as the Frigid-Aires. His interest in music, particularly jazz, ran deep and he spent many relaxing hours listening to the works of great artists.
Bill took particular interest in The Salvation Army and the Alaska Goldpanners baseball team. He was a hard-working contributor to both. He is the only "life" member of the Fairbanks Salvation Army Board.
His tenure with the Goldpanners began in 1962 and for 50 seasons he contributed much time and energy. Remarkably, he served the last 46 years as president of the board of directors, winning successive one-year terms.
The list of his civic undertakings is long. They include: Greater Fairbanks Hospital Foundation; Friends of the University Museum; Fairbanks Rotary Club; State of Alaska Guide Board; Alaska Banker's Association; Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce; Fairbanks Urban Beautification Commission; and numerous other advisory posts. Additionally he received top honors from virtually all of the organizations to which he served or belonged, including mention at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Bill joined Igloo No. 4, Pioneers of Alaska, in 1951, earning life membership in 1976.
As public as his life was, Bill saved his most enjoyable times for himself and a few friends. An avid outdoorsman he spent literally every weekend soaking up the great outdoors whether it be boating, fishing, hunting, hiking or snowshoeing.
Joining Bill on such adventures would be his prized Labrador retrievers. Racey was his faithful Lab companion at the time of his passing. Bill obtained his first black Lab in 1944 and over the next 65 years had one or more at all times. He took great pains in training the dogs and was active in Fairbanks Retriever Club trials over the years.
Another passion for Bill was Alaskana. He acquired a great collection of items and had a deep knowledge of the history of the state and the Fairbanks area in particular.
Bill's grandfather, Charles N. Creamer, crossed the Chilkoot Trail in 1897. In what Bill considered one of his major accomplishments, he retraced his grandfather's footsteps in 1997, at age 77, and some 100 years later. Bill never failed to get a twinkle in his eye  when talking of his parents, grandparents and others of the pioneer times. Bill admitted to being joined to the past and liking it that way.
With him at the time of his passing was his dear friend, Pat Marlin.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Eleanor Wagner Stroecker; his parents Edward H. Stroecker and Mattie Creamer Anderson Stroecker; brother Edward; sister Marion Weeks; nephew Robert F. Stroecker; great-nephew Jason Hackenmiller; step-brother, Buster Anderson; his nephew, Bun Anderson; and his grandson, Scotty Wagner.
Bill was survived by his step-son, Rick Wagner; grandchildren, Deborah (Ray) Lee, Richard (Felicia) Wagner, Christy Shira, Trish (Ray) Mikolajczyk, Gregory (Jerrie) Wagner, Kristin Wagner, Dr. Jacquelyn (Andrew) Serrano; great-grandchildren, Jason (Desiree) Lee, Joshua Lee, Jeffrey Lee, Jacob Lee, Rose Wagner, David Wagner, Devin Boudreaux, Walter Kelly, Michael Kelly, Ginny Kelly, Molly Kelly, Scotty Kelly, and Trent Wagner; his step-daughter, L'Marie (Wiley) Beaux; grandchildren, Lance Nichols, Lori Stepaniak, Lisa Merritt, Lynette Leasure, Lane Nichols, Miles Beaux, Nicolette Fenton, Chris Beaux, Noni Rathbum, Elaine Nichols, Priscilla Montinelli, Irene Nichols, Gus Nichols; great-grandchildren, Lia (Andrew) Thurston, Joey Nichols, Christina Stepaniak, Dustin Stepaniak, Caleen Stepaniak, Courtney Stepaniak, Caleb Stepaniak, Caitlyn Stepaniak, Darrek Stepaniak, Macayla Stepaniak, Trent Merritt, Tyler Merritt, Trason Merritt, Travis Merritt, Kattrina Crouch, Kylie Crouch, Megan Leasure, Spencer Leasure, Rebecca Beaux, Tyvan Beaux, Sara Sorden, Beaux Fenton, Bridgette Fenton, Audrey Beaux, Quenten Beaux, Conlan Beaux, Alaura Beaux, Steven Sloan, Marie Rathbun, Gerald Rathbun, Frank Nichols, Aaron Montinelli, Katie Montinelli, Peter Montinelli, Monya Montinelli, Fred Nichols, Nicole Nichols, and Ryan Nichols; great-great-grandchildren, Mackinzie Thruston, Jordan Thruston, Deshun Stepaniak, Tyson Merritt, Tenneson Merritt, Daniel Nichols, Charlize Wilson, Elijah Wilson; his step-son, Randolph Wagner; grandchildren, William Wagner, and Weslin Wagner; his step-son, Lanny (Anne) Wagner; grandchildren, Karn Wagner; his cousin, Jane (Bill) Pryor; second cousins, Rick Winther, John WInther, and Dale Winther; his niece, Maggie (Larry) Hackenmiller, Linda Stroecker; grand-nieces and nephews, Cary Hackenmiller, Matt Hackenmiller, Ben Stroecker, Sarena Hackenmiller, Stacey (Rob) Carpenter, Jamie (Lee) Hall; great-grand-niece, Hope Carpenter; his cousins, Gary (Yolanda) Creamer, Don (Sandy) Creamer, Chuck Creamer, Roxie Creamer, Jeanne (Leslie) Creamer, Jeff (Christol) Creamer; his grand-nieces and nephews, Kirsten O'Malley, Alexis (Sean) Borger, Jeremy Creamer and Anna Creamer.
Memorial donations may be sent to The Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.
There will be a funeral service at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.