William E. Alexander

William Eugene Alexander, 77, a longtime resident of Moville, Iowa, and Sioux City passed away Nov. 26, 2004, at Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colo. Known as Bill Alexander by his friends and his loving family, he will be sorely missed and long remembered.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Kevin Lee officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Horan and McConaty Funeral Service in Thornton, Colo.

Bill was born April 27, 1927, on a farm near Lawton, Iowa, the third son of Mat and Corda Alexander. The family moved to Moville, where he graduated from high school, then farmed for several years.

On June 11, 1950, he married Clarice Johnson, then teaching school in Moville. At 37 years of age, he decided to pursue a longtime dream to study and teach mathematics. Clarice also wanted to complete her degree, so they moved to Vermillion, S.D. and enrolled at the University of South Dakota. Clarice finished her degree and taught in the Vermillion schools, while he completed his bachelor and master's degrees.

They returned to Sioux City, where they both taught. Clarice was named Sioux City's Teacher of the Year in 1990. He taught math at Central and North high schools and also branched out into the new field of computers. He enjoyed working with talented math students toward their participation in the USA Mathematical Olympiad.

He also enjoyed playing golf, bridge and flying. He received his pilot's license in the early 1960s and with Clarice, took many small children on their first plane ride.

He made many contributions, year after year, without expecting any thanks. But he was especially proud of an honor from the American Association of Blood Banks for his "noble generosity to the ill and injured over many years through the unselfish donation of 10 gallons of blood."

He is succeeded by two brothers and their wives, Ellis and Jewell of Austin, Texas, and Jack and Lyn of Broomfield, Colo.; three nephews, Ellis J. II, Mark and Matt; three great-nephews, Ellis J. III, Paul and Joseph; and a great many very good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Clarice.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran School or Morningside Lutheran Church.