William Sturdevant

Feb 28, 1946 -

Oct 3, 2021

William Clyde Sturdevant (Bill), 75, passed away suddenly at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage on Oct. 3, 2021. Bill was born in Jamestown, N.Y. After a boyhood spent swimming in creeks, playing with his dog Laddie, and racing his horse, Prince, his family settled in Alaska where Bill attended Wendler Jr. High and graduated from East High in 1964. Following in his father's footsteps, Bill was an ironworker and travelled the world before pursuing an education at Anchorage Community College where he met his wife, Julie DeKreon. He earned degrees in Biology and Psychology at UAF and Washington State University with ongoing interests in Sociobiology and Physics. Bill was a sprint musher in the mid-1960s coming in 2nd behind his good friend the late George Attla in the 1968 Fur Rendezvous Sled Dog Championships. He taught dog mushing at Mat-Su College and bred champion sled dogs. Bill enjoyed many careers during his long and fruitful life: Fish buyer on the Yukon, Hunting guide on the Alaska Peninsula, and City Manager of Emmonak, after which he returned to the Mat-Su Valley and further university studies. He earned a Master's degree in Cross-Categorical Special Education preparing him for the career that would become his passion: teaching at Wasilla High and sharing his love of science in the Special Education program. Bill leaves behind many colleagues whose friendship he treasured. Over the last 10 years, Bill and Julie spent summers road-tripping on their motorcycles in Alaska, Canada, and the Lower 48. Bill is survived by his wife, Julie; sons William (Teri) and Rell; daughter, Elizabeth (Gabriel); grandchildren, Kaelynn (Wade), Wayne, Grant, Clyde, Charlotte, Theodore; and great-grandchildren, Bjorn and Ingrid. A Memorial Service will be held 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, at Sacred Heart, 1201 Bogard Rd., Wasilla. Masks are recommended.