GREEN VALLEY, AZ, FORMERLY OF GREENFIELD
William Allen Harpring (Bill), 92, passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2023 in Green Valley, AZ. Bill was born in Paris, IL, one of nine children to John Lawrence Harpring and Ruth Elizabeth (Twigg) Harpring. He is survived by Marilyn, his loving wife of 67 years, daughter Brenda (Dan), son Duane, sisters Patricia Cashen and Nancy Ann Nealy, three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Caryn and siblings Robert, Richard, Donald, Joan, Betty, and Thomas.
Bill worked as a paper boy for the Beacon News in Paris, IL, and later at Montgomery Ward. He served in the Army from 1952 to 1953, achieving the rank of Sergeant and was a Medic in Korea. In 1956 he married his hometown sweetheart Marilyn. Bill graduated in Industrial Arts and Mathematics from Indiana State University in 1957. He taught Industrial Arts his first year in Veedersburg, IN, where the Superintendent of schools offered him the opportunity to teach mathematics and that became his lifelong profession. In 1960, Bill and Marilyn moved to Greenfield, IN, where he taught mathematics at Greenfield-Central High School for 33 years.
In 2005 they moved to Green Valley, AZ, where he enjoyed golf, billiards, shuffleboard, basketball and competing in the Senior Olympics. He also loved playing card games and watching basketball and baseball with Marilyn. He was initiated into the Knights of Columbus Council 6842 while attending Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Green Valley.
Bill was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He never turned down an opportunity to help his neighbor. He was patient, kind, and had a big sense of humor. He was a master woodcrafter, creating many works of art in the furniture and boxes he made for family and friends. He was truly loved and is greatly missed.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10am on May 9, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Greenfield, IN, followed by a Committal service and Military honors at Park Cemetery. Friends are welcome to attend.
