Obituary for William Crowder

William Allan Crowder passed unto the Lord on Sept 8, 2014, with family by his side, in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

William “Bill” is survived by Brother Dale Crowder and five children, Bart Allan Crowder, Barry Don Crowder, Kurt Allan Crowder, Cassandra Kay Hammond, and Kyle Evan Crowder. Thirteen surviving grandchildren include: Sydney Crowder, Lauren Crowder, Corbin Crowder, Destiny Crowder, Kierstin Crowder, Ashley Crowder, Timber Hammond, Mackenzie Crowder, Nolan Crowder, Trinity Hammond, Brody Crowder, Jonathan Crowder, and Ashton Crowder. Bill is further survived by additional extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, etc…

He was preceded in death by mother Vera Greenmeyer, father William Crowder, step-father Burris Cleveland, and grandson Cutter Hammond.

Bill was born on July 7, 1945 in Denver, Colorado to Vera Greenmeyer and William Aubrey Crowder. He was raised in Stigler, Oklahoma by Vera & Burris Cleveland where he graduated from Stigler High School. He played football at Eastern Oklahoma State University and later graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1967.

Throughout his life, William was married, first to Mary S. Miller and then Debra K Newlin, having children with both and loving them all equally.

Bill was a fighter jet pilot and Captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1972. His proficiency led to his selection as a pilot instructor at Vance AFB in Enid, OK. After his military service, Bill worked as a manager of Pizza Inn in Ponca City. He also worked for UPS, El Chico and miscellaneous construction contractors.

Bill retired in 2001 and resided with his daughter, Cassandra and family in the Cleveland, OK area. He spent the last 1 ½ years of his life in Ponca City, OK near his sons, Kurt and Kyle and their families.

William Crowder was a quiet man most of the time and enjoyed the simple things in life. However, a good football game could get a rise out of him, especially if it was OSU and they were winning. Bill’s interests included: religion, sports, reading, writing, mathematics, history, old movies, and avionics.

William A. Crowder was loved by family and friends and will be missed. He is celebrated in life as we know he has gone home to the Lord.

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Cassie Hammond’s residence, 2459 E. Lake Breeze Rd., Cleveland, OK.