William “Bill” E. Harper 1940-2012

WALKER HARPER NATHAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/7/2012 at 11:12:26

Sioux City Journal
June 24, 2012

William “Bill” E. Harper, 71, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 at an Omaha hospital.

Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1421 Geneva Street in Sioux City, with the Rev. Dr. Floyd E. Brown officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will begin 5 p.m. Monday, with the family present at 6 p.m., and Masonic rites at 7 p.m., at Mohr Funeral Home in South Sioux City.

William “Bill” was born Aug. 21, 1940, to William Edward and Ella O.B. (Walker) Harper.

On Feb. 21, 1957, Bill married Stella Marie Nathan. The couple moved to Minneapolis, Minn., before moving to Sioux City. 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.

Survivors include three daughters, Joy Harper, Jan Brouillette and Jina Clark; one son, William S. (Amy) Harper; 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.