William Brantley Edens died Nov. 23, 2013, in Homer at the age of 81. He was born July 10, 1932, to Richard W. Edens Sr. and Helen Carns Edens, in Sequim, Wash. In April 1939, his parents moved to Homer along with children Dick Jr., Brantley and Gwen.

A celebration of life service is 4 p.m. Dec. 4, 2013, at the Christian Community Church, 3838 Bartlett St. in Homer.

The family homesteaded on Skyline Drive for several years and then built a home on East Hill Road so the boys would have access to the high school. The family fished together during the summers in Port Dick and the surrounding area. Dick Sr. and boys built three fishing boats in the winter months, longshored and hauled and sold coal from the beach. Brant commercial fished until 1961. He and Dick Jr. bought Terminal Oil Sales in 1958 from Tom Shelford, and ran the business until 1993 when they sold to Harbor Enterprises.

Brant was the 1,000th Alaskan to be drafted into the U.S. Army after the start of the Korean War. His whole time was spent at Fort Richardson. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Homer where he built his home.

On New Year’s Eve 1957, Brant married Joan Gordon, his best friend. They had many adventures exploring the Alaska outdoors via boat, plane, horseback and road trips. They visited the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, and Central and South America. They worked together, played together, worshiped together and lived a full and happy life.

Their three girls, Shelly, Loree and Beth, were born and raised in Homer. Brant loved his girls, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was supportive of his family’s adventures in life.  

Brant was a member of the Christian Community Church and the Pioneers of Alaska. He served the city of Homer on the Parks and Recreation Commission, and then the Port and Harbor Commission for many years.

“Brantley will be remembered as a gentle, loving, trustworthy, happy, godly man. He was a loving husband and father,” his family said.

He is survived by his wife Joan; daughters and son-in-laws, Shelly and Jeff Erickson, Loree and Jim Jensen, Beth and Steve Tutt; sister Gwen and brother-in-law Lee Shelford; grandchildren, Jonathan, Alivia and Jessie Erickson; Wrangel and Nick Jensen; Eric, Joel, Colten and Elissa Tutt; great-grandchildren Kayden, Nico and Brantley Jace Erickson, and Annabelle Leigh Tutt; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Helen Edens; brother Dick, sister-in-law Velma Edens, and grandson Jace Erickson.