William Craig "Bill" Prince

SIOUX CITY -- William C. "Bill" Prince, 56, of Sioux City died Saturday, March 13, 2010, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, with the Revs. Russell Senstad and David Zirpel officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:30 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Bill was born on Feb. 18, 1954, in Sioux City, the son of William L. and Virginia (Fallon) Prince. He was a lifelong resident of Sioux City, graduating from East High School in 1972. Bill was active in sports, mostly running track and cross country. He and his brother, Bob, were members of the 1972 East High 4x440 and 4x880 Drake Relay champions setting school records in both events. Their 4x800 time is still an East High School record. Bill enjoyed college life at Morningside, Kansas State and the University of Kearney in Nebraska.
He was married to Jaclyn Hunnel from May 9, 1982 until 1994, and from this union three children were born, Anna, Michael and Rachael. In 1995, Lorie (Merrigan) Beckman and Bill found each other and spent their lives together until his passing. Bill worked at the Black Knight clothing stores for 14 years. He was the comptroller for Christy-Smith Funeral Homes for 15 years and developed "A Step Beyond", a grief support group. Upon leaving Christy's, he went to work for Pioneer Transfer and eventually moved to the CFO position at Sioux Plating.
Bill shared his many talents for our enjoyment. He was a soloist at hundreds of Siouxland weddings and funerals. He was also well known for his TV advertising spots as the "It Happens" guy. One of his proudest accomplishments was as a founding member of Lockwood, a Sioux City based rock and roll band that performed in the tri-state area from 1976 to 2001. The band is one of the newest members of the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and will be inducted in September. He was also a longtime finish line coordinator for the Sioux City Relays and has been named the 2010 honorary referee. Bill cherished the time he spent at the cabin on Lake Okoboji, fishing, jet skiing and spending time with his family. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle through the mountains of Colorado and the Black Hills. "Grandpa Bill" especially loved movie nights and sleep overs with his five grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Lorie; daughter, Anna and her husband, Chad Sheehan of Sioux City and their children, Bailey, Scout, Alyssa and William "Liam"; daughter, Rachael Prince of Sioux City; son, Michael Prince of Boston, Mass.; four stepchildren, Dustin Beckman and fiancee, Abby Arnold of Nashville, Tenn., Crystal Beckman and fiance, Seth Angerman and their son, Payton of Sioux City, Cory Beckman and Cole Beckman, both of Sioux City; his mother and stepfather, Virginia and John Prince-Renner of Sioux City; sister, Gayle and her husband, Marlin Jeffers of Omaha; brother, Bob and his wife, Chris Prince of Sioux City; sister, Connie and her husband, Bob Houlihan of Sioux City; sister, Amy and her husband, Mike McManamy of Sioux City; numerous nieces and nephews; the entire Hunnel and Merrigan families; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Clifford and Evangeline Fallon, Lloyd and Hazel Prince; and brother in-law, Glenn Hunnel.
A memorial fund has been established at the Midwest Community Credit Union in Bill's name to support youth activities in Sioux City.