William A. Magel, Jr.

William A. Magel Jr., 57, of Sioux City passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, in Sioux City.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Leo Kostizen officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Army Reserve. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

William Alex Magel Jr. was born Nov. 13, 1949, in Sioux City, the son of William A. and Pearl "Lucille" (Goss) Magel Sr. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he was a lifetime member. He graduated from Central High School.

He married Joyce Elaine Koeppen on Sept. 14, 1968, in Ute, Iowa. Following high school, he began 39 years of service as a switchman/brakeman for Chicago-Northwestern Railroad (which was later bought by Union Pacific Railroad). He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Upon his discharge from the military, he received his associate's degree from Sioux Empire College in Hawarden, Iowa.

He enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting. He also loved shopping for his wife and two daughters, Erin and Ali. He cherished attending each sporting event of his daughters from childhood through their college careers at the University of South Dakota.

He was an avid football and Minnesota Vikings fan, but found his devotion to family led him astray, instead cheering for the New England Patriots and later the New York Jets (teams for which his son-in-law, Matt Chatham played). He and Joyce experienced three Super Bowl victories together in New Orleans, Houston and Jacksonville.

The couple traveled on multiple vacations to visit Erin and Matt in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York and Ali and her boyfriend, Damien in Colorado and Connecticut.

Those survivors left to embrace Bill's memories include his beloved wife, Joyce; two daughters, Erin and her husband, Matt Chatham of South Huntington, N.Y., Alexees "Ali" Magel and her boyfriend, Damien Comeaux of Norwalk, Conn.; two brothers and their wives, David and Shirley Patrick of South Sioux City and Doug and Shirley Patrick of Sioux City; a sister, Katherine "Kathy" Coyle of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Lenore Anderson and Ruby Jane "Patty" Schieffer.

Pallbearers will be Christian Coyle, Jason Marrinan, Craig Patrick, Scott Patrick, Brad Elwell, Shawn Neddermeyer, Scott Seieroe and Christopher Utterback. Honorary pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews, Jill Greig, Jaci Neddermeyer, Missy Wheeler, Chelle Flood, Marni Seieroe, Teresa Beatty, Ross Patrick, Kelvin Patrick, Brad Patrick and Lynn Patrick.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and Hospice of Siouxland.