Obituary - William M. Pritchard, Sr.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Former Juneau resident William M. Pritchard Sr., 93, died Dec. 3, 2006, in his sleep at Citadel Care center in Mesa, Ariz., on following a diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

He was born July 1, 1913, in Utica, N.Y., to William M. Pritchard and Hannah Williams. He attended grade school and high school there.

He married to Ann Louise Colby in 1942, and remained married to her until his passing. He lived in Fairbury, Ill.; Indianapolis, Ind., and Southport, Ind., before moving to Juneau in 1959.

In 1979, after retirement, he and his wife moved to Jacksonville, Vt., followed by Port Angeles, Wash., and finally Mesa in 2002.

He attended Tufts University and graduated in 1940 with a bachelor's degree. He then attended McCormick theological seminary, graduated in 1944 and was ordained a Presbyterian minister.

He worked as a Presbyterian minister until moving to Alaska in 1959. He accepted a position as field administrator for the Board of National Missions, for the United Presbyterian Church, and worked at it for 10 years. He then worked for the Community and Regional Affairs Agency, out of the governor's office, through three administrations, for the State of Alaska, for 10 years.

He remained affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. His hobbies included travel, bridge, crosswords and model trains.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Pritchard; sons, Harry Pritchard and his wife, Elizabeth, Bill Pritchard and Mark Pritchard; grandchildren, David, Barbie, Carly, and Whitney Pritchard; and great-grandchildren Ben and Elizabeth Pritchard; nephews Howard, Bill and Michael Pritchard; and niece, Carole Pritchard.

In lieu of gifts, donations can be made to a food bank.

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