William "Bill" Crank

1924 - 2015

WILLIAM "BILL" CRANK William "Bill" Crank passed away on March 2, 2015 at the age of 90. He was born March 8, 1924 in Carrollton, Missouri, the fifth of seven children to Ethel and Chester Crank. During WWII, he served as a radio operator for the Army Air Corps for which he received four Bronze Stars. On January 13, 1947, he married Bertha Mae Waters. They made their home in Carrollton, Missouri where their daughter, Janet was born. Later the family moved to Marshall, Missouri and in 1958 to Willows, California where Bill worked at a local newspaper. Bill accepted a job with the San Francisco Examiner/Chronicle in 1961 and moved his family to San Francisco. He worked for the newspaper until retirement at the age of 60. After retirement, Bill and Bertha moved back to Willows, California and eventually to Chico, California to be near family. Bill was married for 68 years and is survived by his loving wife Bertha; daughter Janet and her partner Michael Nicholas; grandchildren, Jennifer Osa and John Graf; great-grandson James Mason Osa; brother Chester Crank; and many nieces and nephews. Bill's family wishes to acknowledge with great appreciation the care and love given to him at California Park Rehabilitation Hospital in Chico, California during his long illness. A family viewing was held on March 3, 2015 under the arrangements of Newton-Bracewell Funeral Home in Chico, California. At his own request, Bill's remains will be scattered at sea. To view obituary, send condolences to the family, or share memories of Bill, go online to NewtonBracewell.com.