Windell Harveston Speer

He was born Dec. 5, 1925, in Greene County, Arkansas. He resided in Alaska for 39 years. Windell joined the U.S. Army in 1944 and

was a member of the 89th Division, 914th Field Artillery Battalion, also known as the Rolling W. He served in Europe from 1944 to 1946. He was honorably discharged after his service to the country. Windell was awarded a Bronze Star Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, a WWII Victory Medal and a Meritorious Unit Award. He was initiated as a member of the Free Masons, Wisdom Lodge No. 343 in 1953 in Greenwa. He was a member of United Mine Workers and retired from the Teamsters Local 959 in 1986.

Windell had little formal education, but was wise with life's lessons. When he did attend school, he walked long distances with his siblings both ways. Upon returning to Arkansas after WWII, he continued farming and operating heavy equipment. He met Patsy Maltbie and married her on Aug. 8, 1959, at Hargrave Corner.

He went to Alaska looking for work in the winter of 1970. He arrived with $38 in his pocket. He immediately got a job with the Alaska Railroad, and then moved on to become a coal miner at Usibelli Coal Mine. In recent years, he ran a bed and breakfast with his wife Patsy, where he enjoyed showing guests the local area.

Windell will be remembered for the 52 trips he made on the Alcan Highway, his enjoyment of fishing, hunting in a boat, continually

searching for gold, and for many, his homemade wine and "white lightning."

Windell is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Emma Speer; brothers Doyle, Gerald and Wayland Speer, and daughter, Lavonda.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy of Healy, Alaska; sons, Roger Speer and wife Amy of Healy and Ronald Speer of Arkansas; daughters, Gerhounda Hick and husband Bill of Durant, Okla., and Shirley Speer of Texas; grandchildren, Mathias, Bill, Shelly, Wendy, Kenneth and David; brother, Harold Speer of Greenway; sister, Melva Kenard of

Paragould, several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Tri-Valley Community Center in Healy, with a reception to

follow. Burial at Valley View Cemetery in Healy with full military honors will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Tri-Valley Fire Dept., Morning Star Baptist Church in Healy, AK (907) 683-2704, or one's favorite charity.

Arrangements were made by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home, 415 Illinois, St. Fairbanks, AK 99701, 907-456-5566.