Charles William "Bill" Sullivan
Aug 14, 1952 -
Aug 15, 2025
Bill Sullivan, beloved husband, father, papa and friend to many, passed away on Aug. 15, 2025, in Vancouver, Wash., following complications from surgery. He was 73. In his zest for life, his sense of humor and his big-hearted generosity, he taught us all to love and live more fully.
Bill was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Aug. 14, 1952, to Lee Clifton Sullivan and Katherina (Diener) Sullivan. His family moved to Great Falls, Mont., when Bill was an infant. In 1961, they moved to Alaska, where Lee started a water-well drilling business. Bill worked for his father at A&L Drilling from the time he was old enough to hold a wrench. By his teens, Bill was driving trucks and operating the drill rig. He eventually bought the business in 1979, renaming the company Sullivan Water Wells. Over his 60-year career, Bill drilled countless wells across southcentral Alaska. Bill's son, Cole, went to work with his dad as a youngster and later worked alongside Bill as his partner. Cole took over Sullivan Water Wells in 2017, growing the business into a three-generation, state-wide enterprise, a source of great pride for Bill.
Bill's daughter, Corina Sullivan Johnston, will never forget how he sang "Sixteen Candles" over the loudspeaker at Chugiak High School for her birthday. Corina chose a career in another great love in Bill's life: his children and grandchildren. In her work at Fire Lake Preschool, Corina taught all but one of Bill's grandkids: Cadence Johnston, daughter of Ty and Corina Johnston; Brittyn Hollyn, Brayden, and - in the near future - Cannon Sullivan, children of Cole and Ashley (Holder) Sullivan. For years, Bill accompanied them on monthly field trips to the Eagle River Nature Center. He was also "Papa Bill" to Eva and Hawken, children of stepson Mark and Renee (Howard) Johnson; and to Elias, River and Aurora, children of stepson Erik and Ashlee (Sampson) Johnson. He never failed to show up with fruit-roll-ups in his pockets and famously never said "no" to the grandkids. He offered his grandchildren his gift to everyone: his undivided attention.
Bill was a true cowboy whose honor went beyond stale rules or old conventions. Bill came to horses in his 40s, teaching himself the art of gentling and training his equine friends. On a whim in 2006, as he traveled through Eugene, Ore., Bill entered the three-day Northwest Mountain Trail Championship with his horse, Jake. At the end of the first day's competition, Bill was walking through a crowd of top-notch horses and professional riders when he overheard a group of cowboys saying, "Some son-of-a-gun from Alaska won the first round." Being the only competitor from Alaska, Bill stopped, extended his hand, and said, "That would be me, Bill Sullivan." He and Jake went on to sweep the competition, winning a trophy buckle that Bill wore with a grin for the rest of his life.
It was through horses that Bill met the love of his life, Kaylene Johnson-Sullivan. They were married on horseback by their friend, Dick Griffith, at a remote cabin in the Chugach Range. Together, they rode the mountains of Alaska, Montana, Washington, Oregon, British Columbia; the Badlands of North Dakota; and the desert hoodoos of Utah. They rafted the Grand Canyon - three times. When not adventuring, they created a home for family and friends to gather at Honey Rock Ranch in Palmer, Alaska. Whether on the porch swing or by the crackling wood stove, they loved long talks and holding hands. They gardened together, laughed together and loved all those grandkids together.
The day before his passing, Bill and Kaylene walked the beach, talking about the future and training up Bill's colt back home. A week earlier, they were riding their horses. Bill was in love with life, his family and the many people who called him friend.
As tributes pour in, we are learning just how far his light extended into the world. Bill's life was an anthem to boundless, unconditional love, the very love of Christ. When asked recently if he was a man of faith, he answered simply, "Yes."
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his sons, Clifton Lee Sullivan and Charles William Sullivan from his previous marriage to Diane Oberg. He is survived by their remaining children, Cole, Corina and Clay; stepsons, Mark and Erik; spouses of his children/stepsons Ashley, Ty, Ashlee and Renee; beloved grandchildren, including Wyatt Sullivan; and wife, Kaylene, all of whom will forever celebrate the beauty of his presence in their lives. Adopted family includes Tom and Tina Victory, Gisela Cartmill, and Dick Griffith. He is also survived by aunt Lydia, cousins and countless friends whom he cherished.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held at Honey Rock Ranch in summer 2026 – details published at a later date. Donations in Bill's memory can be made to the Alaska Community Foundation, Bill Sullivan Memorial Equestrian Fund, https://alaskacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funi.
