William "Bill" E. Harper

William "Bill" E. Harper, 71, of Sioux City, IA passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2012 at an Omaha hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1421 Geneva St., Sioux City, IA with Rev. Dr. Floyd E. Brown officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will begin at 5:00 P.M. with the family present at 6:00 P.M. and Masonic Rites at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, June 25, 2012 at the Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City, NE. William "Bill" was born August 21, 1940 in Chicago Heights, Illinois to William Edward and Ella O.B. (Walker) Harper. On February 21, 1957 Bill was united in marriage to Stella Marie Nathan in Springfield. The couple moved to Minneapolis, MN before moving to Sioux City, IA. Bill was very proud of the fact that he was the first black chef of the Northern Pacific Railroad. When the Burlington and Northern Pacific railroads joined, he became a brakeman. He worked for the railroad for over 30 years until 1997. He also was the owner/operator of Stella's Barbecue in Sioux City. Bill was a deacon of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church and a member of Mt. Zion Brotherhood. He was sitting ...[more]

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thy Patron of Harmony Chapter 22 O.E.S. PHA as well as past Senior Warden of Decatur Lodge #14F & AM PHA. He was a 32nd degree Shriner in Zeid Temple #90 and the William F. Powell Scottish Rite. Survivors include 3 daughters, Joy Harper of Sioux City, IA, Jan Brouillette and Jina Clark both of Minneapolis, MN; 1 son, William S. (Amy) Harper of Sioux City, IA; 15 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. William was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ella Harper; his wife, Stella Harper; and his brother, Ricky Harper.