WILLIAM C ZEMAN - CLASS OF 1968

WILLIAM C ZEMAN - CLASS OF 1968

Zeman, William C. “Bill” of Iliamna, Alaska

1944 – 2011

ZEMAN, William "Bill" C. Bill Zeman, 66, passed on October 29, 2011 near Iliamna, Alaska. Born December 19, 1944 and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, he attended Arthur Hill High School.

From there he went on to Western Michigan University where he met his wife, Bonnie. Bill was president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity his senior year. He graduated with a business degree.

His military career began with ROTC in college.  During active duty he flew helicopters in Korea, was an instructor, and was honorably discharged as a captain from the US Army.

After discharge, Bill and Bonnie came to Juneau, Alaska, meeting one of his helicopter instructors at the front desk of Livingston Copters. Bill was then hired for the transport of a new helicopter from Fort Worth, TX to Juneau. During his years as an Alaskan pilot, he flew all over the state. His skills, fortitude and knowledge were reflected in customer requests. Livingston Copters, ERA Aviation, and Era Helicopters benefited from his expertise. He served these companies as pilot, chief pilot, tourism coordinator, and base manager.

He pioneered early tourism, including flight-seeing and glacial dog mushing. Quality work, search and rescue, fire fighting, noise control, and jobs were important issues to him. College students could return to Juneau in the summers to work in tourism at ERA Helicopters.

Bill enjoyed being a member of "Battery B," Juneau's local artillery sporting group, Juneau Gun Club activities, fishing and crabbing with family and friends, annual hunting trips to Gambier Bay with his sons, euchre, and landing "somewhere fishy."

Bill leaves behind his wife, Bonnie, his sons; Bill and Jon of Juneau, sisters; Karen Whisman and Pat Delavern, cousins; Sue Eikelberg (Bill) and Alice Pfeiffer, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives in Saginaw. Celebration of Life service planned for next season. In lieu of flowers, hug a pilot. Arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Home, Kehl's Chapel.