Theophil (Ted) Aprill was born in Ann Arbor and is a life long member of Zion Lutheran Church. He served in the Navy during World War II and upon return from the war received his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to own and operate Allied and A&L Parts, an automotive parts supplier based in Washtenaw County.
Aprill was actively involved in Zion Lutheran Church throughout his life. He ushered at church services for over 35 years and served on numerous Church committees and boards. He served on the Church Life Board and the Worship and Spiritual Life Board in the 1970s, and acted as the chairman of the Centennial Task Force in 1975. He served for several years on both the Executive Board and the Church Council, the latter as Vice President for one year. His service on the Executive Board coincides with a major conflict in the Church, ostensibly centering on the music program, but encompassing larger matters about the style of leadership and worship desired by the congregation, and the fiscal responsibility of the Church.
From the guide to the Theophil Aprill papers, 1914-2000, 1990-2000, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
