William "Bill" Capp

Bill Capp, 75, of Alexandria passed away suddenly at Knute Nelson nursing home entering into the presence of the Lord on May 21, 2023. 

Bill was born in Canby, MN on March 31, 1948 to Fred and Doris (Bruns) Capp. He moved with his family to farms in Chokio, MN, Clear Lake, SD and then to Villard, MN in 1964. As anyone who grew up on a farm knows, Bill was involved by default with field work, milking cows and other aspects of farming with his dad and siblings. He always found time to make up games to play with his siblings.  

While attending school in Villard, Bill excelled in and loved playing football, basketball and baseball. He continued his education at Moorhead State College, graduating with a degree in Math education in 1970. Upon graduation he was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent 18 months at Ft. Sill, OK as a Forward Observer.

After his honorary discharge from the Army, he returned to Alexandria and along with several others started a Christian Community called the Resurrection House near Lake Carlos, which eventually moved into Alexandria in the fall of 1972 and continued until 1980. This had a profound spiritual impact in the Alexandria area and beyond.

In October 1973 Bill met the woman who would be the love of his life at the Resurrection House. Bill and Cheryl’s (Nelson) journey began when they had their first date in December of 1973 and were married in April of 1974 in Glenwood, MN, leading them to embark on a lifelong adventure together. It was a partnership built on unwavering commitment, respect and a shared faith in Christ. They celebrated 49 years of marriage this past April.  Their love extended beyond their own lives and they treasured the joy of their children, their spouses and grandchildren: Son Chad and Kelly (Lemberg), Kennedy 15, Kendall 12 and Kenzie 9; Daughter Sara and Thomas O’Leary, Joshua 6; and Daughter Brianna and Brad Jordan, Braxton 10 and Brynli 7.  As a couple they nurtured their children and grandchildren with unconditional love, guidance and wisdom they acquired over the years. Bill LOVED being Dad and Grandpa and shared his love of the Minnesota Twins with his family.

Bill’s first teaching job was in Verndale, MN in 1972 where he taught math and was head basketball coach, baseball & assistant football coach. In 1975 he was recruited as head basketball coach and math teacher in Jackson, MN. In 1978 he joined his brother Fred in dairy farming in the Villard area. In 1980 Bill returned to teaching and coaching which he continued to do at the Villard school before it merged with Starbuck and Glenwood, which became Minnewaska Area School. He loved working with the students in both the classrooms and on sports courts and fields. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow teachers and coaches over the years and attained his Master’s degree in Education. Bill retired from teaching at Minnewaska Area High School in 2010 and continued substituting all grades.

In 1978 Bill and Cheryl were involved with 6-8 other families in starting New Testament Church in Alexandria. In the early 1980s Bill was involved with starting New Testament Christian School where he later was principal from 1986-1988, and returned to the public school in 1989. 

Bill’s entrepreneurial endeavors involved a variety of businesses with Chad including sports card shops, lawn care, real estate and fitness clubs and greatly enjoyed his most recent venture, The Blue Rooster, in retirement with his sister Sue Trexler. 

We celebrate not only his love for family, teaching, sports and business, but his unwavering foundation in Christ. His desire for people to know Christ shaped his involvement with missionary outreach, church fellowship and leadership, Bible studies, the Gideons, and any opportunity he had to share the Gospel.  His legacy of combining education, sports, and the strength of his faith will live on inspiring others to embrace their own relationship with Christ. 

After his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2019, his bravery in facing this disease head on and his commitment to staying positive and fighting back were a testament to his strong character and faith. He often said “I just try to be content and praise the Lord”. He was thankful for the loving and caregiving support from Cheryl which allowed him to remain at home for as long as possible.  Bill entered Knute Nelson nursing home in November of 2022 after Cheryl’s diagnosis of metastatic cancer. 

Bill is survived by his wife, Cheryl, children and grandchildren, siblings Fred (Alicia) Capp and David Johnston, Mary Ann(Bob) Roe, Judy Keefe and Sue (Ray) Trexler., brother-in-law John Richardson, sister-in-law Deb Larson (Kenton), brother-in-law Ron (Kay)Nelson, Diane Nelson (Lou Abel), nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cheryl’s parents, sister Linda Richardson, brother-in-law Larry Nelson, sister-in-law Pat Johnston.

A celebration of life service will be held at Reach Church in Alexandria on Tuesday May 30 at 11 a.m. with viewal prior to the service at 10 a.m. with lunch to follow the service. Internment at Lake Leven Cemetery following lunch. Visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home on Monday May 29 from 5-7. 

To send condolences to the family online, visit www.andersonfuneral.net