William A. “Bill” Corey, 87, died July 7, 2015. His family said he passed away peacefully. Services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, with burial at Hickerson Cemetery.

Bill was born on June 14, 1928, in the old Railroad Hospital in Anchorage to Ed and Erma Corey. He spent his early years in Suntrana, Alaska, a coal mining camp near Healy, and attended high school in Fairbanks. Bill loved dogs and ran a three-dog team in his early teens, winning first place in one race. He always had a dog and replaced them as they passed away. His latest dog, Abbie, misses him very much.

Bill worked various jobs before gravitating toward his true love — railroading. After a short time, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served at Fort Richardson from 1950-1952. He then returned to Fairbanks to work for the Alaska Railroad. Bill started out by working on their “water” side, working on the S. S. Nenana that delivered supplies to villages along the river. After a year of that, he became a fireman and then an engineer on the regular railroad. He received numerous commendations during his 30-year career. Bill collected their commemorative artwork over the years and donated part of his collection to the Alaska Heart Institute in Anchorage.

Bill married Gloria Fawn Carroll on June 27, 1953, in Fairbanks. They had three children: Colleen, Richard and Billy. They lived in Fairbanks, Chehalis, Wash., and Homer. They have eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Homer; son, Richard, and daughter-in-law Karen of North Platte, Neb., as well as many other extended family members. His parents, brother Ed, daughter Colleen and son Billy predeceased him.