William Miernyk Obituary

William (Bill) Charles Miernyk, aged 81, from Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on May 4, 2023, surrounded with love by his family. Bill was born to John Charles and Regina Irene (Ballas) Miernyk on November 2, 1941, in Durango, Colorado. He had a typical small-town upbringing, attending St. Columba Catholic School for 8 years before graduating from Durango High School in 1959. He attended Colorado State University and graduated with a degree in physics and ROTC. In his words "At CSU, I studied a moderate amount and drank a lot of beer. " He joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity and was very involved in Greek activities, even holding positions of Chapter President and Treasurer. He was the business manager of the Collegian newspaper and worked on the school annual. After graduation he went into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. His first station was Fort Benning, spending two months running around alligator swamps. He then went to Fort Hollibard for intelligence training as a Counterintelligence Special Agent. After that, it was off to Alaska to Fort Richardson with the 467 Military Intelligence Detachment, where his arrival was just 1 month before the Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964. His last assignment was in Vietnam, from 1966-1967, in the Combined Intelligence Center near Saigon. After about 4 years in the military, as the rank of Captain, and having received the Joint Service Commendation Medal, he returned to Alaska to his then girlfriend, Miss Wade. Bill started his non-military career at the local General Motors dealer in repossessions, eventually moving to selling finance and insurance. After 3 years, he went to work for Moore Business Forms, where he worked for 35-years, half in sales and half in management, as he would describe it "peddling paper. " He says he had really good bosses who left him alone to do what he needed to do. He earned many honors while working for Moore, including Achievement Club trips and a promotion to Regional Manager. It was in the bar at the Fort Richardson Officer's Club in August 1964, The Nugget Room, where he met Carol Wade, a kindergarten teacher fromOklahoma. They were married in Durango, Colorado, on July 27, 1968. His oldest daughter, Karen Maree, was born in 1969, followed by Brenda Kay in 1971, and Jennifer Aren in 1972. He was a dedicated father and husband who spent as much time as he could with his family. Whether it was PTA, little league, church activities, camping trips, music recitals, skiing, skating, sledding, or playing cards, his priority was his family. He once said, "I always made sure I was at my best when I was with my family. They are what matter most. " He taught his girls (and grandchildren) to drive at a younger age than usual during trips to the dump, where they also got to stop for ice cream or french fries. He personally took it upon himself to make sure the local hockey rink was clear of snow so kids had a place to ice skate. He umpired softball games, and to keep them moving quickly, didn't mind calling strikes on his daughters, even when the pitched ball bounced before the plate. Every night the family would eat dinner together, and Bill never forgot to thank Carol for dinner, give her a kiss and say, "So you don't have to wait for heaven. "Bill loved to be outside, no matter the season. He was especially fond of building a huge bonfire while camping and then sitting next to it as the fire would fade away. He prided himself on his yearly Christmas light display, once earning a spot on the honored Anchorage City of Lights Tour where buses, limos and parades of cars would come by to see the house but especially the spruce tree out front with at least 150 strings of lights. He was an avid skier, loved to ride his bike, work in the yard, and was a devoted Dodger fan since he was young. Bill also never missed a local Anchorage Bucs or Pilots game if he could help it. Bill was very active in East Anchorage Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Community Council, Alaska Academic Decathlon and The Knights of Columbus. Once his daughters were adults, and no longer as involved in sports, he became very involved with the University of Alaska, Anchorage sports programs, especially basketball and volleyball. He and Carol loved to cruise and were lucky to take many cruises all over the world. The entire family enjoyed a 50th Wedding Anniversary cruise in 2018 cruising Southeast Alaska, which is a treasured memory for all. Bill and Carol were snowbirds in Oro Valley, AZ, where they spent the last 5 winters and had agreat group of neighbors on Ridgewind Court. Bill was a friend to all and was a faithful believer in God, which helped lead him throughout his life. He was kind, happy, a little thrifty, and never met a stranger he wasn't willing to visit with and often befriend. Bill is survived by his wife, Carol, and his three daughters, Karen Miernyk (Steve Bentley), Brenda Miernyk (Jeff Schroder), and Jennifer Kueter (Joe Kueter). He is also survived by his older brother Dick Miernyk. Bill has 5 grandchildren, Morgan Kueter, Taylir Churchward (Vince Churchward), Alaina Bentley, Reese Kross, and Alex Bentley. He also has a great- grandson, Jordan Churchward, with his second great-grandson "about to drop. " He has several godchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. A Mass honoring Bill will be held at St Patrick's Church (2111 Muldoon Rd. Anchorage, AK) on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 4 pm. A party will be held after mass in the St. Patrick's Hall. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make donations to the East Anchorage Rotary Scholarship Fund or The Clare House, Anchorage, AK.