Obituary: William (Bill) Searls, 84

Longtime Juneau resident William (Bill) Searls, 84, passed away peacefully at home on November 8. 

Bill was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1941, to Eleanor and Charles Searls. His father died in 1944. Bill and his three sisters were raised by his mother and stepfather, Bob Hines, in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

William (Bill) Searls

Bill enlisted in the United States Army at an early age and served for 24 years, eventually promoted to E-9, Sergeant Major. He served tours of duty in Germany; Ft. Knox, Kentucky; Vietnam; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Ft. MacArthur, California; Ft. Huachuca, Arizona; Ft. Hood, Texas; and Ft. Shafter, Hawaii.

Bill married Barbara Westman of Juneau, Alaska in 1977 and retired from the U.S. Army in 1985. During his U.S. Army career, he received several medals and awards including the Air Medal, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.

They moved to Juneau, Alaska, in 1986 and made it their home. He started his business, Carpet Source, in 1991, working out of his home in North Douglas until he built his store located in Lemon Creek in 1996. As was his wish and ‘retirement plan,’ he worked at his store for over 30 years until his last day.

Bill loved to fish and from an early age he would often be gone from morning to night, fishing in the neighborhood creeks. When he moved to Juneau, it was fishing in heaven, and he shared his catch with family and friends. At 27, Bill would race his Shelby Mustang at the Ohio Valley Raceway and even won some trophies. He enjoyed playing and watching basketball, playing in the senior league into his 60s; working in his floor covering store; theme park rides with family; watching action movies; and imparting his wit and sense of humor to those he met.  

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara Searls, daughters Stephanie (Kevin) Hughes of Taylorville, Kentucky, Shaleena (Jim) Hall of Winchester, Kentucky, Rachel (Jon) Jeans of Juneau, Alaska; sisters Shirley Shilling of Tequesta, Florida and Debbie (Henry) Dewey of Meadville, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Melvin Ward and Harold Westman of Juneau, Alaska, George Westman of Hoonah, Alaska, and Virgil Ward of Helena, Montana; sisters-in-law Edie McHenry, Elsie Westman, Freda Westman, and Angie Lunda of Juneau, Alaska, and Mary Holland of Delta Junction, Alaska; and numerous nephews and nieces. Bill passed away after his parents; his sister Linda Hines from Memphis, Tennessee; his brothers-in-law Dave Shilling of Tequesta, Florida, Robert Meachum and George Lunda of Juneau, Alaska, and Bernie Holland of Delta Junction, Alaska; as well as his sister-in-law Dee Westman from Hoonah, Alaska.  Bill had a special place in his heart for his floor installer of 23 years, Colby Nelson and family friend/niece Tonya Azar. Services will be at Kunéix Hídi Northern Light United Church in Juneau at 11 a.m. on Nov. 29. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank.