William Robert Walls was born May 26, 1943 in Lakeview, Oregon to Robert Walls, (logger) and Marie Michaelson (teacher). Shortly later his brother Wally was born. Together Bill and Wally would rampage about as two little wild boys doing what little boys do…setting fires to porches, making their own skis to ski to school with and race each other with all kinds of makeshift contraptions indicating their love for all things on wheels. Over the course of time the family would journey between Oregon and Minnesota following the logging trade eventually firmly settling in the Palo, Minnesota region on the infamous Iron Range. Here Bill fostered an appreciation for carpentry via trade college and went on to be enlisted into the Army, where he was stationed in Germany loading nuclear munition after which he returned to Oregon and Minnesota upon discharge. Overtime, Bill fostered a deep love for all things fast with four wheels and loved reminiscing about the various models of cars he had acquired over the years including El Caminos, Rancheros, Impalas, and Corvettes to name a few. He would often recall certain makes, models, engine types that usually lead to conversations of potentially perilous accidents. As one often recited story quipped was that of rolling his Ranchero enroute to his wedding, arriving late and injured, to marry his beloved wife, Kathleen Margaret Patsch, August 31, 1968 on a very hot day in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Shortly thereafter, the couple moved down to San Jose, CA where he completed carpenter apprenticeship and worked as a laborer on the great Eastridge Mall. During this time their first daughter, Marie, was born in 1969 followed by their son, Russell, in 1970. Soon they began their journey migrating up the west coast landing in Spokane, WA for a bit before settling in Chewelah, WA where their daughter, Robyn, was born in 1973.It was here in Chewelah, Bill built many of his first houses including a personal home of grand design atop a small quarry pit, surrounded by tall pines overlooking the Chewelah Valley. In 1976, Bill got the call to venture North to Alaska, in quest of employment and adventure. The family soon followed and arrived in Bethel, AK where Bill worked for the Public Health Service installing pump houses up and down the Kuskokwim River. Living large yet simple amongst the tundra and people, Bill was always the guy to get the job done. Quonset hut and Atco trailer living was luxurious as the family was always warm and together. A fond memory of a first rural bush Alaskan Christmas was of snowmobile riding for miles in search of the elusive tree to harvest and decorate. Once found, on this below zero day in the December darkness, Bill tied the tree to his back with 7 year old Marie up front to keep warm. She watched as long icicles grew down his beard by the time of return, fostering a touch of magic into a little girls heart.

In 1979, Bill made another courageous move with his family and for the last time to the end of the road in Homer, Alaska, where the family has lived on Fairview and Bartlett for forty- five years. It was here he continued to work hard to get the family’s footing stabilized. He and Kathleen raised the children and many neighborhood kids who came and went knowing they always had a place that felt like home…from kids playing baseball in the yard to much later young adult antics and such. Bill instilled a strong sense of duty and expectations in his children by out right saying, “if nothing else…Take Care Of Business” and “Don’t Sweat the Small Shit” when times felt tough.

His small home building outfit, Glacier West Construction, designed and built many starter homes around Homer in the 1980’s. As he went on to larger construction jobs like the Homer HarborIce/Crane Dock, Homer High School, Bradley Lake Dam, several state wide bridge and overpass jobs…Bill always made time to lend a hand to friends who needed a little extra support. In his retirement, he spent more time hunting, fishing and enjoying time with his grandkids. He was the best at fixing lawnmowers, weed whackers and random fix- it projects that his daughters usually showed up with braced with a big smiles and pretty pleases. Bill was always there for you and kind to all who crossed his path. He was a well respected man, loved by many. Friends came from near and far to catch up with him and his calm wisdom was deeply appreciated, especially in his later years. His Finlander Heritage showed through with his love for craftsmanship and his finely built sauna was enjoyed and frequented by many over the years.This wise and talented man loved his children although sometimes with a firm demeanor…it softened with time and the coveted arrival of his grandchildren of which he adored.

After Kathleen passed in 2015, he went on to travel far and wide in his cherished motorhome all the way from the haul road in northern Alaska to offbeat logging roads in British Columbia, home stomping grounds of Minnesota to be near his brother Wally to eventually parking for the winter as a snowbird in Apache Junction, AZ.

Bladder cancer on top of lung cancer finally caught up to him in his 81st year. Bill passed August 16th just before midnight on his father’s birthday and moments before his son, Russell’s, birthday on the 17th. In this, we feel he is resting well now and driving fast cars and chuckling from above telling us all to ‘Not sweat the small shit” and to enjoy life just as he did with little complaint and great kindness.

Bill Walls is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Patsch Walls, his brother Walter Walls and his parents Bob & Marie Walls. He is survived by his three children Marie (Pete) Alexson, Russell (Holly) Walls, Robyn Walls and grandchildren Riley Walls, Jordan Bailey, Mia and Lake Alexson and Lawson Alexson-Walls. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces between CA and MN and has special regard for his nephews Mike Walls and Robert Say who gave him a good many things to be proud of including each winning a Homer Salmon Derby. Many dear friends surrounded Bill near the end with deep gratitude and tender caring including his old buddy Skip Hill, Jocko Neimi, Steve & Linda Mac and Miss ‘Earth Angel’ Sandy Glidden as well as several kind, close neighbors from around his block. He also leaves behind, Shari Torotti, his late in life travel companion and dear friend from grade school.

A memorial date is planned for October 19th. Please join us in celebrating his life. Contact 907-299-0926 for details.