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BORN
1923
DIED
2011
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William Crumpacker Obituary
SEMPER FIDELIS…Once a Marine, Always a Marine
A 60 year resident of Fresno, Bill Crumpacker died Sunday, May 29, 2011 during Memorial Day weekend. He was born in 1923 in Lewiston, Idaho.
His early schooling was in Lewiston and in Spokane, Washington.
His family relocated to California in 1937.
He was graduated from Shasta Union High School in Redding in 1942, and worked on construction of Shasta Dam.
Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps in January, 1943. After completing boot camp at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, he was assigned to the Second Marine Division in New Zealand, and set out "on the road to Tokyo".
As the division engaged in bloody Pacific island campaigns, Bill participated in the victorious battles of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, and Saipan and Tinian in the Marshals in 1943 and 1944. He was wounded at Tarawa, and suffered additional, life-threatening wounds as the battle for Tinian neared its conclusion.
He was awarded the Purple Heart, with star, but his days on active duty came to an end when he entered several military hospitals for extended treatment and recovery from his combat injuries.
Upon his discharge in 1946 he entered college, studying first at Visalia College, then receiving a bachelor's degree in education from Fresno State College in 1950. Crumpacker became a teacher at Ewing Elementary School in the Fresno Unified School District, retiring in 1982. He was also an operator of an independent appraisal service.
In retirement, Bill devoted his energies to supporting the Marine Corps, serving the California Chapter, Second Marine Division Association, as president, adjutant and newsletter editor. In addition, he was a docent at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Fresno, and was an active member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Military Order Of the Purple Heart where he was a judge advocate.
Bill also participated in a comprehensive Tarawa Oral History Project conducted by the Pacific War Memorial Association in 2001.
He was involved in efforts to expose persons who falsely claimed they had received military medals for battlefield bravery. Bill also appeared before students in several San Joaquin Valley high schools to inform them about the Second world War.
With his wife Carolyn, who died in 2006, Crumpacker enjoyed traveling throughout the world. He also spent many days in the High Sierra where he served as a summer ranger for the U.S. Forest Service during his years as a teacher.
The Second Division's motto is "Follow Me"…into battle. Now, Bill will follow other brave Marines of the division who have gone before him to achieve the ultimate victory-the promise of Eternal Life.
He is survived by a brother, Jim and his wife, Jane, of Tucson, Arizona, and a sister, Marianne Johnson, and her husband, Tom, of Pacific Palisades, California. Two nieces and three nephews also survive.
A special Military Memorial Service will be held at Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky Avenue in Clovis, Fresno County, on Sunday, June 12, at 5:00 p.m.
Burial with full Military Honors will take place at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine, Merced County, on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.
Please sign the guestbook at http://obituaries.redding.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Crumpacker
mary j and ralph browner
June 24, 2011
i am so sorry to hear about thr passing of a very dear friend i knew bill and carol rhru the 2nd marine division we spent many wonderful weekends together with all the 2nd diivsion marines i knew him as a
wonderful person and a person full of wonderfull stories
ralph browners wife mary j my ralph passed in march 17 2005
Don Kennedy
June 12, 2011
I attended Ewing and had the privilege of having Mr. Crumpacker as a teacher. Except for my parents, he had the biggest influence in my life. He was kind and I remember him playing softball with us every recess. He had time for everyone and he took us to Cambria with the science camp. What a zest for life he had. I have thought about him almost every day wondering what he would do in tough situations. I never knew of his war achivements, hero's don't talk about stuff like that. When I did hear of his valor and bravery, I was not surprised at all. Rest in Peace Mr. C. What a guy. I hope there are still teachers like him out there.
Jerilee Ruiz
June 12, 2011
My kids had Mr. Crumpacker for their teacher at Ewing School. He was their favorite and mine too. He will be missed. Rest in peace.
Lori Beth (Miller) Evans
June 9, 2011
I attended Ewing K-6th & was fortunate to have met "Mr. C" prior to Kindergarten. My eldest Sister introduced us at the school carnival. Mr C. said,"When I could spell 'hippopotamus,' I could be in his class." I looked forward to the years to 6th grade. In 1975 I was the lucky one! I treasure my grade school memories we had together... all the fun; trips to Sonora/Columbia, sitting with Mr. C. in the saloon there; sipping a sarsaparilla & eating rock candy...good times. He made learning fun. HE'S THE BEST and he will forever live on in many many hearts * Room 16
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Eleanor Henry
June 8, 2011
Bill Crumpacker was the 6th grade teacher for two of my sons, Robbie and Shawn Henry. When I saw the obit. I call each of them and asked who was their favorite teacher in grammer school and as I knew they would, they both said Mr. Crumpacker. They were sad to hear that he had passed. I remember well how many nights at the dinner table we heard stories about Mr. C. He was a great teacher and had a big impact on my sons lives.
June 8, 2011
bill and i attended many calif marine functions , travelled to new zealand and made two personal trips to idaho. i will miss him. judge steeb, sr, joseph, mo,
Samantha Wilkins
June 6, 2011
Mr. Crumpacker was my 4th grade teacher at Ewing. Out of all of the teachers over my many years of school, I remember him the most. He had a way with kids and always made learning fun. I also remember the VW and his dog, that he would bring to school from time to time. He was my favorite teacher and I wish there were more like him. He will be missed.
June 6, 2011
My fondest memories are all the wonderful times, we as a group with SMDA, shared with Bill on so many great trips. No one could tell a story like Bill, he was the greatest and will be missed all who loved him. God Bless you Bill, Rest in peace with with your beloved Carolyn.
Love, Barbara Montgomery
Denise Correia
June 5, 2011
It was a delight getting to know Bill during a tour of the Azores last year. His sense of humor and lively approach to daily challenges will always be remembered...Truly a hero and a wonderful guy. RIP
Betty Hill
June 5, 2011
Mr Crumpacker was my 6th grade teacher at Ewing Elementary. He was one of the best teachers I ever had....He had a great sense of humor. He made learning fun....He was also a great veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart! RIP
Karen Fontes
June 5, 2011
Mr. Crumpacker was a wonderful man and teacher. He was my 4th grade teacher at Ewing School and I have never forgot him. His great stories, white VW and Hannah his beagle were things he loved to share with his students. He is a part if why I became a teacher 17 years ago. I hope he touched and changed many students lives as he did mine. Rest in Peace Mr. Crumpacker!
Robert Watson
June 5, 2011
Mr. Crumpacker was my teacher (4th or 5th grade) at A.D. Ewing Elementary in Fresno. This was around 1954. He was the best and someone who I've always remembered as one special teacher. As a struggling student, Mr. Crumpacker was kind, patient and willing to help me in learning the basic skills. Had I known Mr. Crumpacker lived but a short distance away how I would have loved to have reconnected with him.
My condolences to those who Bill left behind.
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