Posted by XXXXXX on May 7, 2008:

William J. Crosby ’48 No. 16689 30 Sep 1926 – 17 Feb 2007 Died in Ocala, FL Interred in Citra Cemetery, Citra, FL William Jepson Crosby was born on 30 Sep 1926, in Ocala, FL. He attended high school in Ocala and graduated in 1943. The following year, he attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC, and then joined the West Point Class of 1948. While at West Point, Bill enjoyed participating in the Camera Club and served as the club’s president for three years. Bill served with honor in the Air Force in Korea. In 1953, however, at the request of his father, he resigned as a captain. His father was not well and needed Bill at home to help with the orange production and cattle ranch. A loving son, he was happy to be of help to his father. On 21 May 1955, Bill married Joyce Ryerson in Burt, IA, and together, they raised four daughters: Jill, Laurie, Anne, and Mary Lynn. Bill was delighted to also have nine grandchildren. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, and friend, always there to offer a helping hand. He had a true servant’s heart and did many things for his family, his hired hands, his church and community, and even for people he hardly knew. Bill was a man of noble values. Bill enjoyed woodworking and metalworking projects. One of his many significant achievements was initiating and building the Citra Volunteer Fire Department. Bill was involved in many volunteer projects. He performed these projects gratis and found them very fulfilling. In 1984, he and a group of men from his church went to Guatemala. Using hammers, nails, and handsaws, and under very difficult conditions - hot weather, no electricity, sleeping on the ground at night, primitive sanitary conditions — he helped to construct an eight-room building at a missionary compound. The building was, and still is, used for dental and medical care, hygiene classes, family life instruction, and bible studies on Sundays. Prior to that trip, he had selflessly used his engineering skills to survey the property for his church. While doing that, he unintentionally disturbed a nest of yellow jackets. The yellow jackets mightily objected to his work, so Bill retreated for strategic purposes and later continued with his work. After surveying the 13.2-acre property, he and his assistant used a bulldozer and other heavy equipment to clear virgin property for a church building and two roadways into the property. Bill also completely rebuilt the roof structure for a bank building. The historic building, originally constructed in 1922, will become the headquarters for the Citra Historical Society. For another project, Bill tore down and rebuilt the two-story parsonage of a Methodist Church built in 1888. Bill removed the old plaster, then paneled it and installed lighting and a new ceiling. Bill used his surveying skills again to build a subdivision at Kerr Shores. He salvaged cypress logs, some of which were over 100 years old, from the edge of Orange Lake and used them to make beams for his daughter’s log home. Many thoughts and remarks were expressed at Bill’s funeral service. These precious stories shared among friends included the daughters’ speaking of how “their daddy always had to ‘check out’ their cars before he let them drive off” and a son-in-law sharing how Bill was always seeking more knowledge — perhaps it was the need to be a better father and friend. One daughter expressed that “not many people get daddies like we did. He was the picture of strength, character and honor. What a privilege to call him Daddy.” The 1948 Howitzer described Bill as a true southerner and country boy, and proud of being both! He remained so all his life. Bill was unselfish and used his life to serve others. May his memory be forever a blessing!

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