William Alan “Bill” Perterson, 61, of Milford, Iowa, died Oct. 27 in his home after a long courageous fight against cancer.

William was born Feb. 13, 1949, in Austin. He was a graduate of Austin High School and attended the University of Minnesota and Florida Atlantic University. He was a woodworker and a painter. Bill loved classic rock music, playing chess and being on the water boating and fishing. He had the “gift of gab” and enjoyed talking with his many friends.

He is survived by Barbara (James) Carriger of Edina; nephew Jonathan (Julie) Reedy and great nieces Melanie Reedy and Jessica Reedy, all of Vadnais Heights; uncle Norman Johnson of Austin; aunts Dolores “Pete” Judd, of Austin, and Margaret “Mugsy” Swearingen of Lake Havasu City, Ariz; 10 cousins and their families; and countless friends in Iowa, Florida and Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Scott Peterson of Austin, and Marion Lorraine (Johnson) Peterson of Austin and Palm Bay, Flor.

Turner Funeral Home in Milford, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society or the charity of the donor’s choice.