William Klaas Prins Jr.

William (Bill) Klaas Prins, Jr., aged 87, passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side on November 23, 2024. He was born on August 22, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Dorothy and William Prins.

Bill graduated from Union High in 1955. After 4 years of ROTC, he was the highest ranked colonel in the city. Bill married his bride of 65 years, Barbara Anne (Langlois) on April 11, 1959, which is also when he joined the Catholic church, receiving his first holy communion at his wedding. Bill began his career in film production at WOOD TV Channel 8 and WZZM Channel 13. While working as director and film editor at WZZM, Bill was part of a team that won an Emmy award for the documentary “Sickle Cell Anemia”. He went on to work for Car & Track Productions filming NASCAR and Can Am races, as well as the Indianapolis 500s. 

Bill served in the Army National Guards from 1955-1966, rising to the rank of SFC. He was a member of the “Governor’s Twenty” state rifle team. He loved shooting and the competition. He won the state championship in 1962. Bill continued to hone his rifle skills as an avid deer hunter, enjoying time with good friends and extended family during what Barb referred to as the ‘High Holy Days’ of fall.

Bill was beloved by so many: may the memories of laughter and time spent together be a legacy that he leaves behind. 

Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Rick (Julia) Prins, Kristin (Tom) Kemppainen, and son-in-law, Mike Nielsen; grandchildren, Taylor (Kory) Myers, Riley (Grace) Nielsen, Alyssa and Sydney Prins, Aleksi and Kiera Kemppainen; great-granddaughters, Rosalie Anne and Lainey K Myers, and Reagan Kelly Nielsen; as well his extended family of nieces and nephews that meant so much to him. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Dorothy Prins; sister, Greta Battaglia; and daughter, Kelly Nielsen.

A funeral mass will take place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Parnell on Friday, December 6 at 11:00 AM. Visitation with the family will precede the mass, starting at 10:00 AM. Please join the family for a luncheon in the parish community room following the mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.