George J. Stancel, 93, Williston, formerly of Drake and Minot, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the Bethel Lutheran Home in Williston.

George J. Stancel, son of George and Gerturde (Svanes) Stancel, was born January 29, 1922 at Kintyre, ND. George grew up in the Kintyre area and attended Kintyre Public School, graduating in 1940. Before graduating, George worked for the Beal family in their local service station and with their farming operation. He also worked as a caretaker at the Kintyre Soo Line train depot in the late 1930s and quickly became skilled as a telegrapher. After graduating, George continued working for the Soo Line Railroad as a relief agent and telegraph operator. During his career, he worked in every state in which the Soo Line operated.

In 1943, George entered the United States Marine Corp and served his country in the Pacific theater during WWII. He saw action on Saipan and around Okinawa where his ship was hit by a kamikaze. He then served with the occupation forces in Japan, arriving in Nagasaki 2 weeks after the atomic bomb was dropped.

Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to work for the Soo Line Railroad at Riverdale Junction where he served as depot agent during the first years of the construction of the Garrison Dam. During this period, he took a short leave from the Soo Line and attended a Watchmakers School in Pittsburg.

On May 14, 1948, George was married to Orpha Schmidt at Williston. He returned to Riverdale Junction where he resumed his position as depot agent and Orpha worked as depot clerk. George then served as depot agent in Kintyre, Lehr, Ambrose, and again at Riverdale Jct. before accepting the depot agent position in Orpha's hometown of Drake in 1958. In 1970, George was elected local chairman of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers. After 48 years of employment with the Soo Line Railroad, George retired in 1986. George and Orpha continued to reside in Drake until moving to Minot in 2013 and most recently to Williston to be closer to family.

George was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the VFW, the Elks, the Second Marine Division Association, the Czech Heritage Museum and the David D. Nehrenberg American Legion Post #32 of Drake. He was active in community affairs, having served as mayor of Drake and as a volunteer fireman for a number of years. He was a charter member of the Drake Threshing Association. George enjoyed traveling, gardening, bee keeping, making Purple Martin bird houses, and wine making.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Orpha; 2 sons, Steve Stancel of Lafayette, CO, and Robert (Marvelle) Stancel of Williston; 19 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren and his sister, Norma, 98, of Astoria, OR. George was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Clara, Dora, and an infant sister.

The family prefers memorials to the Drake City Cemetery Veterans Plot or a charity of your choice.

Funeral: Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bethel Lutheran Home Chapel in Williston.
Burial: Will be held at a later date at the Drake City Cemetery in Drake, ND
Arrangements with Bethke-Nelson Funeral Home of Drake.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsonfuneralhomesnd.com.