William-Crowdus-Obituary

William Warren Crowdus

Madison, Virginia

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Madison, Virginia

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William Warren Crowdus II William Warren Crowdus II, 78, of Madison, Virginia, a retired business executive and United States Marine, died on Saturday, November 17, 2012. The cause of death was complications caused by pancreatic cancer.

Bill was born and reared in Webster Groves, Missouri, the son of William Warren Crowdus and Virginia Garrett Crowdus. He was graduated from St. Louis Country Day School and in 1956 from Yale University with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Bill served as a United States Marine Corps officer for two years on active duty, then as a reserve officer for eight more years, attaining the rank of Major. He and his family were proud of his Marine Corps service and recently attended a reunion of his Basic School Class at Quantico. He was an outstanding marksman and set the range record for pistol shooting at the Marine Corps range in Hawthorne, Nevada.

He spent his professional life in sales and marketing, retiring as senior vice president from the Eagle Ottawa Leather Company in Grand Haven, Michigan, the largest supplier of leather worldwide to the automotive industry. During his career, he traveled worldwide, dealing with automotive manufacturers and suppliers and making lifelong friends wherever he went. He and his wife Nannette retired in Madison in 1998. Bill loved to cook, grow tomatoes and enjoy fine wine with friends and family. He was a master griller and his barbecued pork shoulders are famous. He was a skilled woodworker and carpenter, and delighted in building beautifully crafted pieces for his children and grandchildren, from train sets to doll houses to cradles, not to mention wine cellars and wooden decks everywhere he lived.

Bill also loved Crystal Lake, Michigan, where he spent his summers as a boy and returned every year throughout his life. As a youth he acquired a rambunctious reputation there and to this day those who grew up with him remember him carousing on the back roads in his beloved Willys jeep. One of his greatest satisfactions in life was passing on his love for the lake and the woods to his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Nannette; his sister, Susan Crowdus Heacock of Frankfort, Michigan; his son, William Warren Crowdus III and Barbara of Washington, D.C., and his daughter, Carol Barbour and Jeff of Wilton, Connecticut; in addition to three grandchildren, Katherine Alice Barbour, William Warren Crowdus IV and Elizabeth Louise Crowdus. A former member of the Madison Lions Club, Bill was a founding board member of Madison Troop Support, an organization that mails monthly packages to servicemen and women from Madison serving overseas.

The family asks that memorials be sent to Madison Troop Support, Syria, VA 22743; the Boys and Girls Club of Madison, P.O. Box 707, Charlottesville, VA 22901; or the Congregational Summer Assembly Scholarship Fund, 2128 Pilgrim Highway, Frankfort, MI 49635.

A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday, December 1, 2012, at the Piedmont Episcopal Church in Madison, Virginia.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.

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I know not a better man. Missing him would be an understatement...

Nanette and family. Nanette after reading your email I took a long walk and had a good cry. Bill was my boss, friend and mentor. I will always remember the huge tomatoes he so proudly grew and the many fine Tomatoe salad lunches he and I had at your home. His wit and dry sense of humor were very unique. God bless you all.

Nanette,
It is with great sadness that I read of your husband's passing. I know what a difficult time this is for you and your entire family. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with
you all.

Much Love and Fond memories,
June Heard Wadsworth, SBC 1957

Nannette & Family,
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Billy will be in our thoughts as we sit down to our Thanksgiving dinner later today and in that spirit we will toast him with a special wine.

The Menchaca Family

Wishing the entire Crowdus family our deepest sympathies and sending you a truckload of love from Connecticut!

Nanette, Carol and Warren- Your husband/dad was a great man! He always treated me like family when you all lived in Lake Forest, and I will never forget your Fourth of July bashes, and staying up all night to baste the pig. He was truly a master of meat!! I feel lucky, Carol, to have been a small part of your family. I am sending hugs and love to you all.

Uncle Billy, you were a larger-than-life figure in our family. Our entire family enjoyed so much your funny stories and anecdotes, as well as your engaging personality. You were truly one of a kind, and we will miss you terribly. Marquette Court will not be the same without you. I know that you and Forrest are having a gin and tonic together as I write this. Love, Sarah