Willie and I became friends in the first grade and during my first year in junior high school he was my “paid” body guard. He was a very good man. I do, and will, miss him.
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- COMMUNITY
Victor Valley mourns loss of Willie Pringle
COMMENT1
Zoom- Posted Jan. 7, 2015 at 8:19 PM
Updated Jan 7, 2015 at 8:23 PMAPPLE VALLEY — After touching the lives of many people in the High Desert, community leader and Victor Valley College fixture Willie Davis Pringle has died.
According to Pringle’s wife, Mary, he was surrounded by his family when he died at their Apple Valley home on Tuesday. Pringle was 62.
“He had battled prostate cancer for about 2 1/2 years and I was praying that the Lord would be merciful by taking him,” said Mary Pringle, who was married to Willie for 15 years. “It’s a blessing that he’s with the Lord, but it’s going to be difficult without him.”
Mary Pringle said the couple first met at VVC while she worked as a clerk typist and Willie worked in the maintenance department.
After listening to his stories and being captivated by his warmth, kindness and sense of humor, she fell in love and the two later exchanged vows.
“He was the best father, grandfather and man that I have ever met,” said Patty Mix, Pringle’s daughter. “I could say a million things about him, but I’m at a loss right now. We will really miss him.”
In December, VVC officials hosted a dedication ceremony in honor of the 33-year college employee, naming the college’s athletic training room after him. Pringle served as the Rams’ head football coach and athletic director, and later became director of student services before retiring.
Mary Pringle said her husband was honored by the VVC ceremony and lovely words that were spoken about him, but the couple chuckled when Willie said, “I thought they waited until people were gone before they did something like this.”
On Wednesday, Jaye Tashima, the current athletic director at VVC, said Pringle’s fingerprints are on the hearts of those associated with college.
“There’s not a place on campus where Willie’s influence was not felt,” Tashima said. “Willie Pringle is Victor Valley College and he is the epitome of what we should all strive for.”
During the dedication ceremony, Roger Wagner, VVC Superintendent/President, said coming to VVC was never a job for Pringle.
“Willie is truly a legend in his own time,” Wagner told the crowd at the dedication. “We appreciate him very much.”
As the news spread of Pringle’s passing, a wave of comments began appearing on Facebook on Wednesday.
“Willie touched the lives of so many,” Lisa Dekker posted. “He was a father to many students, including myself. He taught me to never give up no matter how hard it may seem.”
Dekker said because of Pringle’s influence she went on to earn her master’s degree despite being a teenage mother and being constantly told that she would never amount to anything.
Pringle also served as president of Excelsior Charter School, and was recognized by the Los Angeles County Alliance, the California Alliance and the National Alliance of Black School Educators for his service as a school board member in the Victor Elementary School District. Pringle also received a VVC Distinguished Service award in 2009.
“He truly was my mentor, my colleague and my friend,” said Tashima, as her voice cracked. “He’s the reason why I got hired at VVC. He cared so much about the students and everything that happened at the college. VVC won’t be the same.”
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Jan. 17 at First Assembly of God Victorville, 15260 Nisqualli Road.
Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLa Cruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
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- MEMORIAL
Community remembers Willie Pringle's legacy
Hundreds turn out for memorial service - COMMENT0
|Willie Davis Pringle's memorial service began with the ringing of the bell by his family members at the First Assembly of God Church in Victorville on Saturday. (David Pardo, Daily Press)- » RELATED CONTENT
Posted Jan. 17, 2015 at 7:01 PM
Updated Jan 19, 2015 at 11:13 AMVICTORVILLE — As a guitarist played “Amazing Grace” outside, hundreds filed into First Assembly of God Victorville to attend the “Home Going Celebration” for Willie Davis Pringle.
Known by many for his work at Victor Valley College and the local education community, Pringle was surrounded by his family when he died peacefully at the age of 62 at his Apple Valley home on Jan. 6.
As Pringle’s wife, Mary, exchanged hugs with family, friends and community leaders, worship leaders Billy and Isabel Simpson prepared to lead the congregation in song.
“When I went to visit Willie a few weeks ago, I felt like the Lord was just showing me that Willie was the true mark of a Christian,” said Billy Simpson, who leads worship with his wife at The Gate Church in Victorville. “Willie loved people regardless of who they were. The amount of people here today reflects his love for people.”
During the service, Brian Kaiser shared how his stepfather played a powerful role in the lives of his family, including Pringle’s stepdaughter, Patty Mix, and son, Tim Pringle.
Kaiser said he enjoyed Pringle’s love, warmth, truthfulness and caring heart. He also said that Pringle raised him like his own son, and taught him how to become a man.
“I was about 10 years old and we were at the mall,” Kaiser said. “Willie told me that we were going to scam on the girls and that he was going to show me how to act cool doing it.”
Kaiser said Pringle showed him how to sit on the bench, unbutton his shirt and catch a glimpse of a girl “without getting caught.”
Kaiser said Pringle was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, fought courageously and never complained or asked, “Why me?”
To emphasize the importance of being checked for prostate cancer, Kaiser introduced a video clip of the animated TV show “Family Guy,” where a naked Peter Griffin is being examined by a doctor.
“As a pastor, I don’t think I ever followed the Family Guy,” said Randy Howard, of The Gate Church in Victorville. “I’m excited to say that Willie knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and today he is totally healed.”
Howard said just before Pringle died, he told Pringle, “It’s OK, you can go now. Everything is going to be all right.” Pringle shared with Howard that he was “ready to go.”
Lynette Ramirez said she grew up with Pringle in downtown Victorville during the late ’50s and early ’60s.
“We were part of the old E Street gang of friends,” Ramirez said. “We all went to the same church and the same school for colored kids. Willie was a mentor, not only to me, but to the whole neighborhood.”
Longtime classmate Everett Jenkins said from Eva Dell Elementary School to Victorville Junior High School, Pringle was always the biggest and strongest in the class.
“I was a small kid and I wore a bowtie in school, so I was a target,” Jenkins said. “That’s when I paid Willie about 25 cents a week to get protection.”
Jenkins said as the years passed, he discovered that Pringle had “other clients” and that he made a tidy profit from his protection services.
During the service, a slide presentation showed Pringle on his wedding day, in his Victor Valley High School football jersey, tending to his ranch home, portions of his 33 years with VVC and clip of Pringle sporting “Daisy Duke” shorts.
In December, VVC officials hosted a celebration, naming the college’s athletic training room after Pringle who served as the Rams’ head football coach and athletic director, and later became director of student services before retiring.
“Willie was a protector of people when he was a kid, and was a protector of people up until he died,” Jenkins said. “He was my friend and we will all miss him.”
Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227, RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com or on Twitter@DP_ReneDeLaCruz.
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Community remembers Willie Pringle's legacy
Hundreds turn out for memorial service
Rene Ray De La Cruzrdelacruz@vvdailypress.comVICTORVILLE — As a guitarist played “Amazing Grace” outside, hundreds filed into First Assembly of God Victorville to attend the “Home Going Celebration” for Willie Davis Pringle.
Known by many for his work at Victor Valley College and the local education community, Pringle was surrounded by his family when he died peacefully at the age of 62 at his Apple Valley home on Jan. 6.
As Pringle’s wife, Mary, exchanged hugs with family, friends and community leaders, worship leaders Billy and Isabel Simpson prepared to lead the congregation in song.
“When I went to visit Willie a few weeks ago, I felt like the Lord was just showing me that Willie was the true mark of a Christian,” said Billy Simpson, who leads worship with his wife at The Gate Church in Victorville. “Willie loved people regardless of who they were. The amount of people here today reflects his love for people.”
During the service, Brian Kaiser shared how his stepfather played a powerful role in the lives of his family, including Pringle’s stepdaughter, Patty Mix, and son, Tim Pringle.
Kaiser said he enjoyed Pringle’s love, warmth, truthfulness and caring heart. He also said that Pringle raised him like his own son, and taught him how to become a man.
“I was about 10 years old and we were at the mall,” Kaiser said. “Willie told me that we were going to scam on the girls and that he was going to show me how to act cool doing it.”
Kaiser said Pringle showed him how to sit on the bench, unbutton his shirt and catch a glimpse of a girl “without getting caught.”
Kaiser said Pringle was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011, fought courageously and never complained or asked, “Why me?”
To emphasize the importance of being checked for prostate cancer, Kaiser introduced a video clip of the animated TV show “Family Guy,” where a naked Peter Griffin is being examined by a doctor.
“As a pastor, I don’t think I ever followed the Family Guy,” said Randy Howard, of The Gate Church in Victorville. “I’m excited to say that Willie knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and today he is totally healed.”
Howard said just before Pringle died, he told Pringle, “It’s OK, you can go now. Everything is going to be all right.” Pringle shared with Howard that he was “ready to go.”
Lynette Ramirez said she grew up with Pringle in downtown Victorville during the late ’50s and early ’60s.
“We were part of the old E Street gang of friends,” Ramirez said. “We all went to the same church and the same school for colored kids. Willie was a mentor, not only to me, but to the whole neighborhood.”
Longtime classmate Everett Jenkins said from Eva Dell Elementary School to Victorville Junior High School, Pringle was always the biggest and strongest in the class.
“I was a small kid and I wore a bowtie in school, so I was a target,” Jenkins said. “That’s when I paid Willie about 25 cents a week to get protection.”
Jenkins said as the years passed, he discovered that Pringle had “other clients” and that he made a tidy profit from his protection services.
During the service, a slide presentation showed Pringle on his wedding day, in his Victor Valley High School football jersey, tending to his ranch home, portions of his 33 years with VVC and clip of Pringle sporting “Daisy Duke” shorts.
In December, VVC officials hosted a celebration, naming the college’s athletic training room after Pringle who served as the Rams’ head football coach and athletic director, and later became director of student services before retiring.
“Willie was a protector of people when he was a kid, and was a protector of people up until he died,” Jenkins said. “He was my friend and we will all miss him.”
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