In Memory of

William "Bill" Knoepfler

William Bill Knoepfler

Sorry to have to pass this along to all my classmates...... lost another close firend. 

Passed away from cancer while under treatment last Saturday December 15th. 

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Obituary in Sioux City Journal on December 19th:                     Sioux City

Bill Knoepfer, 64, of Sioux City, died Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

A celebration of life service will be 6 p.m. Thursday at Knoepfler Chevrolet, 100 Jackson St., in Sioux City, with storytelling led by Jeff Macfarlane. Visitation with the family will be 4 to 6 p.m., at the dealership. Please remember that Bill would want those attending this service to come comfortably dressed in their favorite jeans. Thank you Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in assisting with Bill's last party.

Here's what jackie, Abbie, Neal and Olivia want you to know about the man they called husband, dad, grandpa, and best friend.

Bill was an employee/owner of Knoepfler Chevrolet and had been the parts manager for 35 plus years. Thank you to the Knoepfler staff for sharing day to day life with Bill. He enjoyed each and every one of you.

Bill's positive attitude was what helped him and his family get through the last few months of the hardest time of their lives together after his diagnosis of cancer. Bill's daughter, Abbie, her partner, Neal, and the beautiful little soul that is their daughter, Olivia, were a constant source of support and comfort. He was thankful every day for the love and support of his wife, jackie.

Bill died the way he lived - on his terms. He did not give up or lose hope. He and jackie changed what they were hoping for and as a result got exactly what they wanted – a peaceful passing for a man that deserved just that. Those who knew him well will appreciate that he never lost his sense of humor. Even in his last hours in the ER, he was joking with the medical staff and making his wife laugh.

Bill will be cremated (there will be no burial); his eyes have been donated. He would be happy to know that he helped someone else to see the wonders of this world that he loved so much.

He was a scuba diver who was enthralled by the ocean and it's creatures but could not for the life of him capture that beauty on any camera he ever owned. His two favorite diving buddies, Abbie and Neal, will be lost without him.

He loved meandering county roads on his motorcycle, feeding the birds and deer in his backyard with Olivia's help and the quietness of the last few months with his wife.

Bill is also survived by his brother, Charlie (Christy); sister, Katherine (Willy); brother, Jim (Cathy); nephews and niece (and their families), Ben, Joe, Bryan, Josh, Maddie, Jackson and Sam; many cousins; grandnieces and nephews; his Knoepfler parts family; and friends too many to count.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Barbara Knoepfler; and his father-in-law, Bill Christerson.

People love to send flowers or plants but Bill would argue that donating to worthy causes is much more productive. A donation to any organization that helps all of humankind would be worthy of the kind of spirit he had and to which he also donated. Locally, he donated to Girls, Inc, Red Cross and to the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence among others. He also would have appreciated donations to Mayo Clinic. Bill and jackie had a wonderful life and knowing that others have not been as fortunate; it just makes sense to help others.

 



 
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12/18/18 01:56 PM #6    

Mark Hanna

 

Bill will be remembered for his kindness, friendship, loyalty, generosity and this list continues on an on.  His laughter was contagious an made others around him smile!  His quick wit and just a loving an caring human being! I look back to the times we spent together in High School an at Iowa City!  My heart is heavy an sad to hear of this! God Bless You Jackie and your Family at this time an forever!Rest in peace my friend! 

 


12/18/18 02:20 PM #7    

Jeffrey Watt Wooldridge

Bill,  I am going to miss you so very much.......I do not believe I have ever known a kinder better person. Caonoed the boundary waters with him the day after graduattion 1972. When you eat ,sleep, canoe,swim, eat and just talk you get to know each other well. I actually already did as we went all through church sunday school and then youth group for 15 years. After reading the other comments there is not much more that I can add, he was simply the best. God speed my good friend.      Jw


12/18/18 03:25 PM #8    

Constance A Popken

This is such sad news. It's so hard to believe! Bill was such a good guy. He always had a ready smile & a kind word. He & his family were so kind to my daughter's fiance, Joel, when he had cancer & later died. Bill had a big heart & will be greatly missed. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family & co-workers. They will miss him a lot & so will all of us who knew him!

12/18/18 07:21 PM #9    

James H Corkhill

I am so shocked and saddened to hear about Bill's passing. My thoughts and prayers to the family.  So sorry.


12/18/18 07:58 PM #10    

Leslie A. Crim (Blake)

The very essence of a kind, true, giving person. Our class was better because of Bill's presence. Miss you, my friend. 


12/18/18 08:05 PM #11    

Geoffrey C. Van Schepen

I sent earlier comments but wanted to share a quick story about speaking to Bill vie phone about a month ago. He was bed ridden & doped uup & still wanted to talk about me & make me feel better as I'm fightlng tears hoping to cheer him up.  He would have none of that and was making me feel good about myself. That was Bill. He did say he knew his fate & don't cry for me. Oh man. He just wanted to enjoy what ever time he had left with his grand daughter.  We are all better for knowing him. I will always cherish the stories & memories.  Heaven get ready for the smiles & bad jokes. Geoff


12/18/18 08:45 PM #12    

Bob Ratliff

Sometimes in life you are fortunate to know someone who just walks a natural spiritual life. We will always remember Bill's smile. His smile would always be so uplifting. Amazing man. Just glad to say I went to school with Bill and he will always be a friend. He enriched my life. Loved that smile. :)

12/19/18 08:25 AM #13    

Mark Steven Lawson

Would bump into him when in Sioux City every couple years,  same great guy. Still remember drivers ed class with him. Prayers to his family.  


12/20/18 07:52 PM #14    

Rick Dennler

I probably last saw Bill in the year or two after high school.  Hearing the comments from all of you makes me realize that Bill has always been the same person as that very outgoing and friendly high school kid in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I certainly missed out by leaving Sioux City when it comes to not being there to witness the wonderful life he lived and shared with all of you. I only can see Bill in my mind’s eye at that young age when I last saw him. I have no idea how he looked as an adult, but surely would recognize him. There is only the memory of his exhuberant energy and as everyone has said, permanent smile, only interupted by laughter.  Everyone is fortunate who had the opportunity to know him. This loss hurts from a distance of nearly fifty years separation, and we did not really hang out that much then. That says a lot about the impression he had on everyone around him. I am sorry for each of you who shared so many years and life experiences with Bill. My deepest condolences to the entire family. You are all a unique and very special group of longlasting friends,  so well reflected through your comments. Bill, thanks for imprinting our lives with your truly joyful spirit.

Rick Dennler


12/23/18 07:32 AM #15    

Bert A. Bowers

Got a call from Rick Dennler.  So sorry to hear.  I had no idea.  Bill was always able to make everyone feel that they were friends.  I remember going over to see Bill and Charlie once in grade school.  They had just finished assembling two model airplanes.  They were checking to make sure the paint, decals, etc were all perfect. They  headed upstairs and flew them out the bedroom window, blowing them up with cherry bombs.  I thought “wow”, these guys are cool.  Always fun to be around.  Blessed this earth with his presence.  He will truly be missed!


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