George W. Palmer

1941 - 2014

George William "Bill" Palmer was born 73 years ago on Oct. 12, 1941, in Middletown, Ohio. On Oct. 25, 2014, Bill, following a brave battle with small cell cancer, was blessed to join his Lord. Bill first came to Alaska with the Army. He achieved the rank of Sergeant. His marksmanship with an M14 rifle and other weapons was to prove invaluable in his chosen career as a security officer for many companies, following his military discharge. He considered himself an Alaskan because of his instant love for its mountains, the beauty of its lands and many diverse opportunities and first he settled in Fairbanks, then he migrated to Anchorage. His hobbies included, but were not exclusive to, boating, fishing, camping, carving of Diamond Willow and playing the organ (self-taught). Bill was an active member of the Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, the American Legion Post 26, the AMVETS- Post 2 and the VFW Post 10252, in which he served as Chairman of the House Committee. He and Regina have also been also been KAKM/KSKA (Channel 7) volunteers for more than 30 years. Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Regina Palmer, of 35 years; children, Ped Palmer of Las Vegas, N.V., Valerie (Brett) Murphy of Palmer, Alaska, Shauna Hicksof of New York, Dina Palmer of Anchorage and Dorothy and Leo Sweat of Wrangell; and sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Allen Sanford of Bryan, Texas. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, William Palmer. Graveside services will take place on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. Friends and relatives, please line up behind the hearse at JBER (Fort Richardson visitor center) main gate between 2 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. to head toward burial site. Funeral to be at 2:30 p.m. Celebration of Life will follow the service from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Alaska Railroad Train Depot located at 420 W 1st Avenue. Arrangements entrusted to Legacy Witzleben Funeral Home. To share words of comfort with the family please visit www.legacyalaska.com.