 Calhoun native, William Harley "Son" Stalnaker, 80, passed away suddenly May 4, 2005 in the Yukon Territory of Canada.
He was on his way to the lower 48 to visit family and friends, often traveling to several states before arriving in Sunny Cal.
"Son" had lived these past 40 years in Juneau, where he was a commercial Salmon fisherman and home builder.
He called Alaska "my utopia." His sister, Glenna Fleming, said he was annoyed that the government was making too many game laws that interfered with his freedom. "He really valued his freedom, after serving in the Navy during World War II," she said.
A few years ago he told the Herald "I fell in love with the place. Everything felt right for me."
At a family reunion he said "When I get back I'll be catching some King Crab. The state has only 650,000 people. Plenty of elbow room," he said.
Brother Paul Stalnaker said he was an active man who lived life to its fullest.
"Son" was proud to have served his country during WWII, serving aboard the USS Lang in the South Pacific. He was a man who valued and loved his family. He never missed a birthday or special occasion, no matter the distance he had to travel.
He nearly always came back to the long-running Stalnaker Reunion at Chloe.
He is survived by sons, William C. (Donna) Stalnaker, and Robert F. (Melissa) Stalnaker, both of Akron, Ohio; daughter, Anita L. (John) White of Salem, Oregon; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren; sisters, Glenna Fleming of Arnoldsburg, WV, Emma Lou Chenoweth, and Orma "Toots" Downs both of Ohio; brother Paul Stalnaker of Millstone, WV; many nieces and nephews and dear friend, Dee DeMars of Juneau.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fenton and Opal Stalnaker; brother, Marvin Stalnaker; sister, Wanda Lee White; and son Jeremiah Andrew Stalnaker.
A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11 at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg. Interment will be in the Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery, Millstone. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
A luncheon will follow at the Community Action Center, Arnoldsburg at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Stalnaker's name to
Sycamore Baptist Church Cemetery
c/o Paul D. Stalnaker
HC 89 Box 15
Millstone, WV 25261
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