Rev. William J. Apfel

BARRE TOWN - Rev. William John Apfel, 76, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on January 27, 2019.

Born December 2, 1942 in Alba, Michigan, he was the son of John and Geraldine (VanSice) Apfel.

He married his college sweetheart, Claudia Grace Jackson, in March of 1965 in Detroit, Michigan. They celebrated their 53 ^rd Anniversary in March of 2018.

Bill attended Bellaire Public Schools in Bellaire, MI where he was a standout athlete in both Baseball and Basketball, receiving All-State Honors in both. His love of basketball led him to play at Central Michigan University, Lake Superior State College and Northwestern Michigan College.

Following college, he and Claudia started a family, and Bill worked in his family’s commercial construction company, Chain of Lakes Construction. He was called into the ministry in 1975 and left the construction business to attend Faith Tech Bible College with his wife and family. He graduated with a degree in Bible and Theology. Bill faithfully served 4 parishes as a pastor. The first, Jordan Valley Assembly in East Jordan, MI, the second, Charisma Chapel in Central Lake, MI, the third, Lakeview Assembly of God, which was South Dakota’s District Church in Mitchell, SD, where he was also ordained. His final parish was New Life Worship Center in Barre, VT for 26 years.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Claudia Grace Apfel (NEE Jackson); his children Jeffrey Alan Apfel and his wife, Bridgett; John Apfel, Debby Gallo and her husband, Rudy along with six grandsons Steven Apfel, Jacob Apfel, Luke Krupa, Ian Apfel, Boden Krupa, Tristano Gallo and step-granddaughter Alexandria Gallo of Montreal, and two foster children whom he loved like his own Dennis Clark and Zecor Margolin Berger. Bill is also survived by two sisters, Linda Lou Dean of Bellaire Michigan and Patricia Ann Melde of Scottsdale, AZ.

He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, a daughter-in-love, Karen Laprade, and a son-in-love, John Krupa, of whom he loved very much.

Bill’s life was filled with the joy of family, friends and his dog Hoagie. He enjoyed attending sporting events, especially Spaulding Crimson Tide Basketball and Hockey Games. He would also be the loudest fan in the stands for his grandchildren and always was there to lend support after a tough game or celebrate after a great win. He loved his community and enjoyed the many opportunities he had to minister to those that were not in his congregation. He was often called by strangers for funerals and ministered to local students after crisis. During his life in the ministry he belonged to organizations that were focused on spreading the word of the Lord. He was a past member of the Gideons, Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship and was Assistant Presbyter for the Northwest Section of Vermont.

We invite you to join us in a celebration of his life on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at New Life Church, 304 Hill Street, Barre.   There are no calling hours.

The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre assisted the Apfel family with the arrangements.