Willard Alverson

Willard (Bill) Glenn Alverson, age 91, of Grand Rapids. He ran into the arms of Christ, on August 23, with his wife and children beside him.  Bill graduated from Olympia High School in 1949 where he was student body president. He entered Washington State College where he married his high school sweetheart, Anita, then graduated in 1951. As an ROTC graduate, he entered the Army a Second Lieutenant and was quickly off to the Korean War. Two children and thirty years later he retired as a Colonel, Airborne, Ranger. His 31 year military career included three combat tours, Commandant of the Special Forces school, Instructor in Special Operations at the Command and General Staff College as well as a mentor to dozens of officer and career bound college students  He was married to Anita Earline Chilson for 71 years, who survives. Also surviving are sons Larry and Averie (Behler) Alverson of Grand Rapids and Gary Alverson of Carlsbad, CA.: five grandchildren Bill, Betsy, Aaron, Alysha and Marissa and five great grandchildren, Kaylee, Jaxon, Olli, Ashton and Eliza Jane.  Due to Covid-19, the family will hold a private service at Saint Mark Lutheran church on Saturday August 29 at 11am. An Arlington National Cemetery internment will occur within the next year.

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