Fairbanks man missing since Tuesday, family pleads for his safe return home

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -A Fairbanks man has been missing since Tuesday and family members are pleading for his return home.

Willis Derendoff, 34, is between 5′7″ and 5′10″ tall, weighs 160 pounds and has black-brown hair and brown eyes.

He is Alaska Native and originally from Huslia.

Derendoff was last seen wearing a black leather jacket, red sleeper fleece pants and possibly a beanie-style hat.

Family members say on Monday Derendoff was confused, didn’t have his debit card or identification on him, and his phone was broken.

On Tuesday he was spotted at Wrights Air, Fred Meyer West, and his phone was last pinged at Extended Stay America Hotel in Fairbanks.

On Wednesday he was seen at Stone Soup Café and a few more places around town, but not at his hotel room.

Clarissa Roberts, a family member and volunteer, said his family is very worried about him.

“If you do see Willis, he is approachable, he is a very nice guy. He may be confused right now, so just approach him and ask him if he is okay.” Roberts said.

With the help of Tanana Chiefs Conference, Village Public Safety Officers, and the Alaska State Troopers, the family set up a search party Saturday with headquarters at Fairbanks Funeral Home & Crematory.

Over a dozen volunteers assisted in the search of several locations where Derendoff was reportedly last seen.

Roberts had this message for Willis Derendoff if he is listening: “Willis, if you are out there and you are watching this, please call us and let us know that you are okay and where we can come to find you and get you. We are very worried about you. Everyone is searching for you -- and if anyone knows where he is at, if you are with him, just call us and let us know that he is okay so we can bring him home.”

Any voluteers who would like to help are asked to come by Fairbanks Funeral Home Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

If you have any information, you are asked to call the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 451-5100, Derek Derendoff at (907) 987-9536, or Peter Captain Jr. at (907) 347-6679.

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