"The closing years of the business life of William L. Younkin were filled with Nebraska’s 10-million collar capitol, and with his dreams. He was a man of few words, so given to reticence that his shyness easily could have been mistaken for indifference to his fellow men. But on the subject of architecture which filled his life, and especially in discussion of the beauty of the Nebraska state house, Mr. Younkin was an inspiring , companionable man.

Governor Griswold was speaking in no extravagant fashion when he said that Mr. Younkin, whose death took place Wednesday after a brief illness, “loved this building.” His eyes would light up, and there was a new enthusiasm to his voice whenever the matter of the Nebraska capitol became the topic of discussion. He watched over it, guarded it, made it his personal responsibility, and none could have discharged his duties more conscientiously.

The man’s natural modesty blotted out his true, varied interests in everything that adds to beauty. He was an architect, but he loved trees. He took pleasure in the open vistas of the landscapes. He was a thoroughly competent technician, understood every step of construction, with an amazing capacity to blend light and shadow and to harmonize colors. He got a great deal of pleasure out of the simple beauties which are hidden to so many eyes and although his death interrupted his work in the prime of life, his life was one of great satisfaction and peace.

He will prove to be a difficult man to replace in the supervision of the building that yearly gains greater significance in a nation where miracles are commonplace."

- Lincoln Star, 12/19/1946, Page 6, Column 1

"The closing years of the business life of William L. Younkin were filled with Nebraska’s 10-million collar capitol, and with his dreams. He was a man of few words, so given to reticence that his shyness easily could have been mistaken for indifference to his fellow men. But on the subject of architecture which filled his life, and especially in discussion of the beauty of the Nebraska state house, Mr. Younkin was an inspiring , companionable man.

Governor Griswold was speaking in no extravagant fashion when he said that Mr. Younkin, whose death took place Wednesday after a brief illness, “loved this building.” His eyes would light up, and there was a new enthusiasm to his voice whenever the matter of the Nebraska capitol became the topic of discussion. He watched over it, guarded it, made it his personal responsibility, and none could have discharged his duties more conscientiously.

The man’s natural modesty blotted out his true, varied interests in everything that adds to beauty. He was an architect, but he loved trees. He took pleasure in the open vistas of the landscapes. He was a thoroughly competent technician, understood every step of construction, with an amazing capacity to blend light and shadow and to harmonize colors. He got a great deal of pleasure out of the simple beauties which are hidden to so many eyes and although his death interrupted his work in the prime of life, his life was one of great satisfaction and peace.

He will prove to be a difficult man to replace in the supervision of the building that yearly gains greater significance in a nation where miracles are commonplace."

- Lincoln Star, 12/19/1946, Page 6, Column 1