I am so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. I served with Bill @ Fort Riley Kansas in the early 60's when we were activated with the National guard. I tried many times to contact Bill but was never successful. I purchased a purple Pontiac from him which I drove back and forth to North Dakota many times. Those of us that are still around talk about the good times we had during a (postponement of our lives) and talk about the great person Bill was to all of us. I know this is very belated but I want to express my deepest sympathy to all of his family. He was a great person.
Bob Wiedeman
Bob Wiedeman
February 11, 2017
r. i p. from an sae brother from iowa uinv. you were a friend and great brother. phi alpha.
bruce eaton
October 24, 2015
What a fine man....what a tumultuous life.
john parks
January 9, 2015
I have many great momories of Bill. I went to McKinley H.S. with Bill and knew him as a great, but humble, athlete and good friend. I also had the opportunity to attend the U. of Iowa at the same time that he was both an offensive and defensive star on Iowa's Rose Bowl team. I am thankful that I was able to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of our graduation from McKinley where I was able to see and talk to Bill one last time. May he rest in peace. Arnie Prosser
Arnie Prosser
November 3, 2014
I had the chance to work with Bill at Iowa Realty in Iowa City for several years. It was a common occurrence to have Bill gather with Dave Cahill, Todd Welk and myself to tell "old war stories" about Iowa Football and pretty much anything else that came along. Bill drug Todd and I to Tama on several occasions to wager a dollar or two on the dogs...he always worked some kind of secretive system, and got flustered when Todd and I came out ahead of him, usually choosing winners from dogs names. My best memory of Bill, tho came during a spring training visit in Phoenix a few years back. He encouraged me to get ahold of him when I arrived with my two children. He spent the next 3 days driving us around to various ball parks, getting box seat tickets for a Cubs game and insisted on buying dinner for us on the last night. A great guy, with a big laugh and a bigger heart! He will not be forgotten and is certainly missed...God Bless!
Steve Droll
October 7, 2014
My 1st memory of Mr. Happel was seeing pictures of him from his playing day's for the Hawks . I remember Bob and I going through photo albums and thinking to myself that Bob's dad was the coolest. I did get to meet and spend time with Mr Happel through out my teens. He always took the time to ask about my family and how we were doing. Mr Happel and my father both found AA back in the 70's which bonded me even more with the Happel family.
Love and peace to Bill and all who loved him.
Jack Adams Jr.
Jack Adams
October 6, 2014
Bill was such a "golden boy" and Tom Hyde and I enjoyed such wonderful and fun times with both our families. HTom and I loved playing pranks on him. Rest in peace, Bill.
Arden Hyde Fritchen
October 3, 2014
Good bye my old friend. While life can be short, memories are eternal!
Bob McCullough
October 1, 2014
I was sorry to hear about the passing of Bill, we had alot of great memories at McKinley. for 2 years we played together on both the football and basketball teams. During those times Bill had a car and I didn't, but he was always there picking me up and taking me home after practice and games. I think Bill will be the only one in the history of Iowa sports to be named First Team All State and was on a team that didn't win a football game that season, that is how good an athlete he was. High School was fun, Bill and I even Planned a Skip Day one nice Spring Day needless to say that didn't go over to well with both our parents and Mr. Paxson the principal. Those kind of memories you do not forget. My Sympathies to you Jana, Bill, and Bob, from me and My two sons Cary and Brad
Gary Miller
September 30, 2014
I knew Bill on a personal and professional basis dating back to our teenage years in Cedar Rapids. Bill was a first-class person who treated everyone around him with respect. I will miss his presence greatly, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his wonderful family. For more of my thoughts about Bill, go online to www.wesleyvaclavone.blogspot.com
Ron Maly
September 30, 2014
Our sympathies to Bill's family. We knew him through the high school years and watching Iowa football was
always more exciting when Bill was playing. He was a good friend to everyone he knew and he will be missed.
His many good friends will all have wonderful memories of him and what he meant to so many people.
Judy and Tom Zachar, Scottsdale, AZ
September 30, 2014
We are all so sorry for your loss....we have fine memories of our time with your Dad/granddad....he was always great to share time with and we always enjoyed our times together...he will be remembered with great fondness...Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of you
Joy, Rob, Marley and Sam Williams
September 29, 2014
Bill and I became acquainted when he attended Iowa. After college he, Kevin and I became "Old Cap" friends in Iowa City. Since I lived in the Twin Cities, Bill permitted me to talk to him when he first arrived for treatment. Bill and I also talked several times over the past few years to discuss how fortunate we were to have found sobriety. Think we were all blessed to have known Bill. Best to all of his family and friends, Jack Hoffman
Jack Hoffman
September 29, 2014
Many fond memories of Mr. Happel & the yellow house on Beaver Ave. I remember him always smiling or laughing. He was my dads best friend for over 60 years & he will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Mr. Happel
Betsy Albaugh Johnson
September 29, 2014
Wally and I are remembering all the great times we had so many years ago. We haven't had much contact the past years but will always treasure our times together growing up. Jana, Bill and Bob and your families are so special to us . We send you our love and prayers to you all. Mary & Wally Merz
Mary & Wally Merz
September 29, 2014
So sorry for your loss. What an exciting life he lived,I'm sure his greatest accomplishment was his kids and may you always cherish the memories of all the great times you had together.
john cram
September 29, 2014
At a time as this words seem so feeble, especially when addressing the passing of a great man like Hap. A man of unimaginable integrity, honor and atheltic talent. We were very close friends through grade school and McKinley High. Everyone wanted to be his best friend, I only hope I was one of his best friends. We had some great times!
I will miss him dearly until I catch up with him.
If I could travel I would love to come for the services, but Bill understood when I spoke to him a few days before he had to be taken to the hospice facility. Frank Navratil
Frank Navratil
September 29, 2014
From the entire Hidder family, our sincerest condolences to the Happel Family. Bobby and I met in 1970 in kindergarten and I have had the pleasure of keeping in touch with Bobby, Billy and Jana over the years. I will remember Mr. Happel as a kind, humble individual whom always truly cared about others. No matter how much time had passed between seeing him, he always, genuinely took the time to ask me how I was doing and never missed an opportunity to ask me about my Mother and Father. I remember in 1984, Mr. Happel was coaching in D.C for the Washington Federals in the USFL, Bobby and I drove out to D.C for spring break to spend time with him. It was midseason for the USFL and I hadn't seen Mr. Happel in years but when we arrived at RFK Stadium for their game, he welcomed me as if I was his own son. All the best memories....Love, Greg
Greg Hidder
September 29, 2014
To Bills Family
One winter night in 1979 Bill came and spent 4 hours with me about my problem with drinking, of course I didn't think I had a problem. It was to be 1981 before I was able to quit Drinking but that night forever lives in my memory.
Bill planted the seed that was to save me and my family. Later as we both were in Real Estate we became friends went to a few Cub games together seen each other in Az each year and he was one of the first to contact me after Ruth's death.
There is a old saying I like
that fits Bill , The only thing you leave in this world when to pass on is what you gave away and He gave a lot
Thanks Bill for that night long ago.
Russ Nading
September 29, 2014
Wonderful memories of playing together and competing against each other starting in fifth grade in Cedar Rapids. Fraternity brother and life long friend. His family should be so proud of his many achievements. We will all miss "Hap" so very, very much.
Joanie and I send our thoughts and prayers to his family. - - - Ock & Joanie Peterson
Ock Peterson
September 29, 2014
We were so sorry to hear of Bill's passing today. We so enjoyed our visit with him last spring in Az. Our paths have not crossed that much since college days but we do have so many fond memories of all the good times back then. Ken with his football memories and Janet with her SAE memories. Our love and prayers go out to the family.
Ken and Janet Ploen
September 28, 2014
Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of Bill's family. I was Bill's neighbor on 25th St. SE as a kid. I have many fond memories of our childhood together. God bless and keep him. Jim Toms and family
Jim Toms
September 28, 2014
Bill was such a dear friend. We had so many great times together over the years...from our college days until the present. We will treasure those memories...most of them will bring a smile to our faces when we reminisce. So many laughs! So much fun!
He loved you all so much and was so proud of his children and grandchildren. I know you will miss him very much...and so will we. We are sorry that we cannot be there to express our sympathy to you in person, but please know that we are holding you all close in our hearts and in our prayers.
With love....Steve and Sally Turner
Steve and Sally Turner
September 28, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers for Bill's family. Bill and I graduated from McKinley High School and lived together
our first year at the Univ. of Iowa. Bill was our best man when Joanne and I were married. Bill was always a
leader and a great friend. He will be truly missed. Al & Joanne Eastin
Al Eastin
September 28, 2014
To the Happel Family, We extend our sympathy and you are very much in our thoughts at this time. We heard the news with a real sense of loss, but want you to know how important Bill was to my beginnings at Washington High School. Bill & I were both at the University of Iowa at the same time. I played against Bill during most of the practice sessions and enjoyed watching him on Game Days. When a coaching position opened at Washington High School Bill called me and said that I might want to apply because they wanted to put in the Wing T Offense that was used at Iowa under Forest Evashevski . I got the job and later became the head coach and had the opportunity to coach both Bobby & Bill. Both helped my coaching record. Again I am very sorry to hear of Bills passing away.
Wally and Beth Sheets
September 28, 2014
Jana, Bill and Bob, words cannot express my sorrow over your Dad's passing. Kevin so treasured their fifty year friendship. All of us had such fun together in more recent years at Clear
Lake and football weekends in Iowa City. I only hope he and Kevin are together playing gin and sharing laughs in heaven.
Your dad was so proud of all of you in his quiet and humble way. He was thrilled with his grandchildren and loved sharing their many accomplishments and pictures with us.
Someone sent me the following that we should not cry because he is gone but smile because he was here.
With deepest sympathy,
Barbara Furlong
Barbara Furlong
September 28, 2014
Bill and I met when we entered 7th grade at McKinley. He was the best athlete in the class and the best looking boy. The girls all loved him and the boys admired him. He was my best friend and hero from then till his death. Don Albaugh
Don Albaugh
September 28, 2014
2014 @ 0800 hrs. My wife showed me the Obituary on Bill. I just want to express my deepest sympathies to the family of Bill Happel. He was extremely supportive of me during my tenure in Iowa City as a student and an athlete. It hurt deeply while reading. Yet, I am sure that everyone associated with Bill Happel feel the way I do. May God bless and keep him.
Louis Williams Jr Defensive End 1962-64
September 28, 2014
Bill, Bob and family: The Puk family is so sorry to hear about your father. He was the one who got me to Minnesota. The memories of him and my football career are tied together. I would visit him often in his office, and he was the only one who never spoke a bad word about Iowa (God knows I did). He was a mentor for me back in those days, and I don't think I ever said that to anyone. He will be missed. As you all know, Chris and I lost a parent this summer as well. We know how tough these times are and will be over the next months. But I just have to say, Coach Hap was good to me and my family. Thanks to him for caring because the opportunity to play at Minnesota was priceless. Your entire family is in our prayers and thoughts. God Bless all of you. Dave, Chris and Puk family.
Dave and Chris Puk
September 28, 2014
Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of Bill's family. I never meet Bill but I had his children in class at Washington High. I hope peace comes to you. May God bless all of you.
Jim and Carol Voss
Jim Voss
September 28, 2014
My deepest sympathy to all of Bill`s Family, I remember him from McKinley and afterwards. Many times we talked and told jokes about the days in school.
You all are in my thoughts and prayers,
Yours,
John A. Kuba
Podivin, Czech Republic
John A. Kuba
September 28, 2014
Uncle Bill was the foundation of our family after our "Papa" passed away. He was always there for advice and loved us all. His passing leaves an even larger hole in my heart after mom (Nancy) passed away in December. My heart goes out to Billy, Jana, Bobby and all of Uncle Bills grandkids. He was a loving uncle to me and I will miss him greatly.
Tammy Lien
September 27, 2014