William "Bill" J. Carpenter

Oct 9, 1931 -

Oct 11, 2021

William "Bill" J. Carpenter, 90, passed away on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Bill was born on Oct. 9, 1931, in Harvey, Ill., to Earl and Emma Carpenter. Bill was a gentle man, kind and giving. He volunteered some of his time at a local soup kitchen in Anchorage, Alaska, to help those in need.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from Jan. 28, 1952 – Jan. 27, 1954, and retired from the 68th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group, having earned the rank of Private. During his service, Bill was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Bill attended the Culinary Institute of America in New Haven, Conn. He worked as a cook or chef in various niche restaurants, preferably near or at major ski areas where he could also work as ski patrol and get skiing privileges. After the start of construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline in 1975, Bill worked as a cook at the north end section of the pipeline.

He enjoyed cooking, working on old cars, writing poetry and visiting his siblings, nephews and nieces.

Bill was predeceased by his oldest brother, E. Keays Carpenter, who survived the Bataan Death March during World War II, but later died in a POW camp located in the Philippines. Bill is survived by his brother, Kenneth C. Carpenter of Mount Vernon, Wash.; brother, Donald L. Carpenter of Cherokee, Okla.; sister, Patricia J. Mallan of Melbourne, Ark.; and many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on April 20, 2022, at 10 a.m., at the Anchorage Funeral Home, 1800 Dare Avenue in Anchorage. A graveside service will be held for the family at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Francis, Okla., in late May 2022. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.alaskanfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Anchorage Downtown Hope Center, online or at 240 East 3rd Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501.