Homer resident, Alex “Willie” Flyum, 85, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 at home.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 27, at the Homer Elks Lodge, 215 Jenny Way, Homer. His ashes will be scattered in Dutch Harbor with his adored daughter, Alexe, in Petersburg with his beloved wife, Karen and in Homer, where he made his home and life.
Willie was born Aug. 1, 1938, in Dillingham. He was raised in Alaska, spending the majority of his life in the state he loved. He was lifelong learner from attending night school in California, training to earn his pilots license, attending lineman school and attaining his Journeyman Lineman rating for Alaska, to earning his USCG 100-ton Masters License.
Willie also served in the Alaska National Guard from Oct. 1955-Apr. 1958.
He lived in Homer, where he spent the majority of his life in Alaska, and where he chose to raise his family.
Willie commercial fished for 2-3 years, worked construction with the Arndt Bros., was a labor foreman in Cape Newenham, and transported a large barge from Norfolk, VA to Homer. He also managed the Salty Dawg and Lands End for the Hillstrands.
Willie built bridges in Oregon and after getting his Journeyman Lineman rating, he worked for Chugach Electric. In 1977, he started working for Flyum’s Barge Service and in 1981 bought out his father’s barge business. In 2005, he retired from Flyum’s Barge Service.
He was a member of a number of Fraternal organizations including the Elks Lodge, American Legion, Lions Club and more.
Willie didn’t take down his Christmas decorations one year, an elaborate set up on the roof with Santa and his reindeer. When asked about it in the early summer, he told someone he left it up for the folks in Long Term Care and the Hospital to enjoy. For this, he was awarded Citizen of the Year that year, and we thought it was hilarious.
Willie’s heart and service belonged to the Elks Lodge, where he served as Exalted Ruler for the Homer lodge a number of times. He was also Alaska State president form 1998-99 and District Deputy to the National Lodge. Willie was also an avid coin and pin collector.
His family shared, ““Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
Alex “Willie” Flyum, 85, passed away. He was an incredible man, larger than life, that gave with his whole heart and lived like it was his last day, every day. He found joy even while living through great loss. For those fortunate enough to call him friend was to know adventure, generosity and hell on wheels! For those blessed to call him spouse, dad and grandfather was to learn to live in the moment and find fun, adventure and opportunity in every situation you come upon. After his passing the family was walking through his garage and noticed he had literally blown the wheels off of his walker – what can we say – he had a hell of a ride!”
Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, son, Darry, daughter, Alexe, and brother, Mike.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Rama and Charlene; a son, Torlend; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rather than flowers, the family prefers memorial donations be directed to the Homer Elks Lodge, 215 Jenny Way, Homer, AK 99603
Arrangements by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
