Willet Ray Bushnell

Nov 16, 1948 -

Sep 2, 2024

Willet Ray Bushnell, "Bush," son of Vernon Bushnell and Geneva Wright, was born in Rapid City, S.D., on Nov. 16, 1948. Bush passed away at home in Wasilla, Alaska, with his wife Ida Hjellen McMahon on Sept. 2, 2024.

Bush graduated from California State University Fullerton in 1971, with a B.S. degree in business management, with a major in accounting. He moved to Alaska in 1973, and earned CPA certificates in California and Alaska.

He married Ida on Jan. 1, 1980, at Al and Pat Hjellen's Lake Lucille home. In 1982, they formed Bushnell and McMahon CPA's. Bush worked as a consultant, but spent more time volunteering than working.

In addition to being on the Wasilla City Council and acting Deputy Mayor, Bush was active on several Wasilla commissions, the Wasilla and State Chambers of Commerce, the Election Data Review Processing Board for the State, Mat-Su Borough and City of Wasilla. He was a president of Mat-Su Crime Stoppers and a board member treasurer of Crime Stoppers International.

Bush allowed plenty of time to enjoy Alaska, where he fished, hunted, camped and white water rafted. He enjoyed water skiing, sailing, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowmachining, time with his son Eric, friends, family and grandchildren. In his retirement years Bush liked to travel, spend time in Hawaii and Arizona, doing genealogy for family and friends, rock tumbling, golf and playing the ukulele.

Since 1998, Bush loved spending time in Hatcher Pass at the family's High Grade Gold Mine. His backpack loaded up, he searched for promising veins. Hikers came by taking pictures. Check your photos for an old, bearded miner on a mountain!

Bush's parents, Vernon and Geneva; along with brothers, Gregory and John Bushnell, preceded Bush's passing. Bush is survived by his sister, Becky Sullenberger of Santa Cruz, Calif.; wife, Ida Hjellen McMahon; son, Eric Bushnell and wife Debra "Debbie" Clevenger Bushnell, all of Wasilla; and grandchildren, Aimee Bushnell of Fairbanks and Blake Bushnell of Wasilla.

A memorial is planned for May 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations to Alaska Cardiovascular Research Foundation Fund or the Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers are requested.