William Martin “Bill” Delaney

William Martin “Bill” Delaney passed from this realm to the next in Anchorage, Alaska on August 27, 2025.

Bill was born on May 12, 1957, the youngest of three children born to Robert L. and Betty Ellen (Earl) Delaney.

Bill grew up in Woodston, Kansas, and graduated from Stockton High School in 1975. He also attended North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit, where he learned body and frame repair.

Bill and Elizabeth “Lilly” Muir were married in Kansas. In 1993, Bill and Lilly moved to the Copper River Basin in Alaska with Blake and Bailey. Ivy joined the family soon after.

Bill was a valued member of the Copper Center/Glennallen Fire Departments, now GlennRich Fire Rescue. He also responded with Copper River EMS, attaining certification as an EMT3.

Bill worked for Copper River Regional Housing Authority and was known as the guy who could fix just about anything. His talents and attention to detail (read: perfectionist) were known and appreciated by the huge number of people he helped.

With retirement, Bill became a “snowbird” so he could spend time with family in Alaska and Kansas. He also enjoyed coffee with the “brain trust” at the lodge, and most importantly, being the “Mayor” of “Billville”.

Bill is survived by his ex-wife, Elizabeth “Lilly” Provenzano; his children, Blake and partner Brittney, Bailey and husband Bryan Barnbrugge, and Ivy Delaney and partner Lanny Barrett, Jr.; two grandsons, Oliver Delaney and Jonah Barnbrugge; and his siblings James “Jim” Delaney and Kathy Delaney Wolfrum.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a half-brother, Alva “Joe” Doak.

Cremation was requested, and a Celebration of Life was held Saturday, September 6, at the Old Town Lodge in Copper Center. Another celebration will be held in Kansas at a later date.