William Dudley

William D. Dudley, age 91 of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away with his family at his side on Monday, May 11. The memorial service and celebration of Bill's life will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at Cross Point Community Church, located at 1920 West Dimond Blvd., Suite K. A reception will take place immediately following the service.

Bill was born in Haggerman, Idaho, on March 13, 1924, to Gladys and Robert Dudley. He graduated from Mountain Home High School in Idaho and enlisted in the Navy in August of 1943.

Bill served on PT Boat 362 during World War II in Hawaii and the Philippines, He was discharged honorably in December 1945. After the war, Bill worked for Morrison Knutson (MK) Construction on various projects in the U.S. and Guam, including the Anderson Dam.

Bill married Eleanor Lahtinen of Mountain Home, Idaho, on Dec. 17, 1949. They eloped to Reno, Nev., and remained happily married for 65 years. Ellie already had graduated with her teaching degree and she worked while Bill attended Boise Junior College for two years and then transferred to the University of Oregon where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in June 1954.

On July 9, 1954, Bill and Eleanor embarked on their Alaska adventure when they packed up and moved to Anchorage with Jim and Evelyn Booth and their two young daughters. Ellie was the only one with a job waiting for her as a teacher at the newly opening Anchorage High School.

The men were assured that Anchorage was "buzzing" and they could easily find work. From 1954 to 1955, Bill worked for the Alaska Territorial road commission. He also worked for the Federal Aviation Administration. He then went to work at Elmendorf Air Force base as a Senior Contracting Officer where he spent his career in Civil Service.

He retired as the Director of Contracting and Procurement for Elmendorf Air Force Base in 1984. Many remember that Bill and his team were responsible for bringing in the supplies and water into Elmendorf AFB for disaster relief after the 1964 Earthquake.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and spend time with his family and friends. He always said he got best of both growing up in Idaho and then raising his family in Alaska. He was a charter member of the American Legion Post 28, a Life member of the VFW, a member of the Elks Lodge and a member of the Pioneers of Alaska. Bill was always involved, serving his community and participating on various boards. After retirement, Bill remained involved in contract consulting and real estate for many years.

Bill is survived by his wife, Eleanor, and his children, Dennis and Carla Dudley of Anchorage, Alaska, and Denise Dudley Hodges and Hart Hodges of Bellingham, Wash. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lindsey Dudley, Aaron Dudley, Mia Hodges and Cameron Hodges.