William R. Crabtree

Dec. 28, 1945 — Dec. 2, 2021

Having lived a life of few regrets, William ‘Bill’ Robert Crabtree, left this world peacefully surrounded by family on Dec. 2, 2021, after a brief illness. Bill was living in Florence, Arizona, at the time of his passing.

Bill leaves behind his wife and soulmate of 28 years, Therese Crabtree, of Florence, Arizona; daughters, Jennifer Hurst (Craig) of Commerce City, Colorado, Lindsey Demuth of Vacaville, California; stepdaughter, Erica Kovac, of Boise, Idaho; and six grandchildren ages 5 to 19, Aaron Jr., Harper, Haley, Mason, Will and Avery. Bill loved all of them with a passion. He never missed an opportunity to pull out his phone and show pictures of all his grandchildren, regaling everyone about their accomplishments. It was a blessing that he was able to travel and visit with all of them in the past six months before his passing. Additionally, Bill leaves behind a brother, John Crabtree (Queta) of Ukiah, California; sister, Sandra Durrance (Glenn) of Florence, Arizona; aunts, Verna Dannemiller of Florence, Arizona, Garnet Kimberlin of Fairfield, California, Maxine Scott of Ashland, Kentucky; a niece, a nephew, and many cousins and extended family members living in California, Kentucky and North Carolina; Bill also leaves behind his ‘buddy’ (dog), Maddie.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, E. Ray Crabtree and Rose Keffer Crabtree; son-in-law, Aaron Demuth; as well as other cherished uncles, an aunt, cousins, and several lifelong cherished friends from the Suisun Valley, Vacaville, California, and Richland, Washington, areas.

Bill was born in Vallejo but graduated from Armijo High School after the family moved to Suisun Valley. After high school he attended Cal Poly State University.

He served in the Army Reserves from 1966-1969 as an MP. Bill’s work life spanned many decades to include Sheldon Oil (Suisun, California), Suisun Valley Fruit Growers Association (Fairfield, California), James Mills Growers (Hamilton City, California), Tree Top (Selah, Washington) and Stadelman Fruit (Washington).

In retirement, he worked occasionally for the Florence Unified School District (Florence, Arizona), finally making retirement full-time 18 months ago.

During his lifetime, Bill lived in Vallejo, California, Fairfield, California, and Vacaville, California. After his marriage to Therese, they moved to Yuba City, California, Yakima, Washington, Richland, Washington (living on the 1st hole of Meadow Springs Golf Course), and finally for the past six years in Florence, Arizona.

Bill enjoyed living life to the fullest. In his younger years he enjoyed spending time with his friends at Thompson’s Corner, Dings, Wren’s Cafe and Merchant and Main. He enjoyed parachuting, and going to see the Oakland Raider’s games, etc.

In his later years, Bill enjoyed the many trips he and Therese made traveling the midwestern and western states of the U.S. in their RV, seeing the sites and visiting family and friends.

He truly enjoyed fly fishing, being on the lake, playing golf at Elks Golf Course (Yakima, Washington), Meadow Springs Country Club (Richland, Washington), and more recently at Poston Butte Golf Club (Florence, Arizona). Bill also enjoyed his friends with the neighborhood ‘Cigar’ group, and the Sun City ‘Poker’ group. All who knew Bill, knew that he loved to visit and talk!

Prior to his passing, Bill said that he never had the opportunity to fly in a helicopter but would like to one day. On the day prior to his passing, he got the ride of his life in a medical helicopter. Flying first class! He would have loved talking about that ride. Godspeed Bill!

At his request, no memorial service was held. Interment of his remains will be at a later date at the Rockville Cemetery, Fairfield, California.

Donations may be made to www.myeloma.org or to www.thehealingnet.org.

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