William Hill Barrington, Jr.

William Hill Barrington, Jr., 84, died Nov. 27, 2003, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Mr. Barrington was born April 1, 1919, in San De Fuca to Capt. William Hill and Mildred Barrington. Family business included sternwheeler riverboats on the Stikine River. He grew up in Oak Harbor and Wrangell, Alaska.

He was educated at the University of Washington and Griffin-Murphy Business College in Seattle. Working with Barrington Transportation Co., in Wrangell, he met his bride Elna Arola and they married Jan. 23, 1944, at St. Philips Episcopal Church. They moved to Skagway where he joined the U.S. Customs Service, later transferring to Eagle and Juneau and moving to Anchorage after retiring in 1964. Until his death, he continued to work in the maritime industry, becoming a familiar figure at the airport and Port of Anchorage. His experience in the shipping industry took him to far points in Alaska where his gracious and kind nature gained him the love and respect of all he encountered.

He is preceded in death by his parents and seven uncles, four of whom with his parents were pioneers of the Gold Rush of 1898.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elna Barrington of Anchorage; children and their spouses, William Hill and Marlene Barrington III of Tacoma, Victoria Rich, Dr. Edward and Donna Barrington, Liisa and Brian Johnson, all of Anchorage; grandchildren, Eva Michels of Los Angeles, Jamie Rich, Owen and Eden Barrington, and Arthur and Syd Johnson of Anchorage; and extended family in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and Whidbey Island.

Mr. Barrington was a 54-year member of the Pioneers of Alaska, the Irish Claddagh Society, Finlandia Club, Scottish Club and Christ Church Episcopal.

Mr. Barrington was known for his love of dancing, his remarkable personality and sense of humor. He was always courteous, never speaking ill of anyone.

A service will be held Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church. Mr. Barrington’s remains will be interred at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville. Funeral arrangements are made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E Street, Anchorage, Alaska.