William D. Crouch

1935 - 2016


William Devere Crouch, 81 of Salem, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Odin Healthcare Center after a brief illness.
He was born February 19, 1935, third child and only son, of Leo Devere Crouch and Mae Fern (Hankins) Crouch in Lawrenceville, and that is where he grew up.
Bill proudly served in the US Marines from 1954-1957.  While on leave, he met a girl on a train in Kansas City, MO.  On August 9, 1958 that girl, Sandra Lee Peterson, of Dayton, OH became his wife.  They were married 50 years, and she preceded in him in death on September 18, 2008.
Bill worked at McCalls Printing Plant in Dayton, Ohio.  He moved his family to Iuka, Illinois in 1976 to begin working at Salem Gravure, after McCalls was slated for closure. He worked there until his retirement. After retirement he and Sandy lived on Carlyle Lake, and enjoyed winter months living in Tucson, Arizona.
Bill valued hard work, country living, and was considered to be a jack of all trades by his family. He dearly loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, picking up pecans, gardening, and family wiener roasts. Other favorite past times included playing cards, watching Western movies, singing old songs, and spending time with family and friends.
William is survived by a son: David Devere Crouch of Indianapolis, Indiana;  three daughters: Carolyn Queen and husband Greg of Centralia, Brenda Whitchurch and husband Mark of Salem, and Cristy Griffith and husband Jim of Salem; nine grandchildren: Breanne Telg and husband Matt of Moseley, Virginia, Jordan Queen and wife Brittany of Centralia, Amber Dennis and husband Glenn of Gurnee, Kaylee Heinzmann and husband Stuart of Salem, Curtis Griffith of Salem, Kellie Sigrist and husband Lucas of Salem, Joe Devere Crouch of U. S. Military Station Overseas, Shawn Crouch of Evansville, Indiana, and Alyssa Crouch of Indianapolis, Indiana; nine great-grandchildren: Kinley Telg, Crue Queen, Adam Dennis, Ethan Dennis, Brooks Heinzmann, Clay Heinzmann, Carter Griffith, Mason Griffith, and Ava Sigrist; several nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved stepmom: Nellie Crouch; sisters: Nelda Carrie Selby, and Betty Basham; nephews: Donnie Carrie, Cecil Carrie, and Kenneth Stallard.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 3:00 PM at Hillcrest Lakeside Chapel in Centralia with Pastor Andy DeWitt officiating and Military Rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 446 and the V. F. W. Post 2055.  Burial will be held at a later date at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia.  Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until the time of the service at the chapel.  Per the family’s request, dress casual for the service.  Bill requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Hospital or Relay for Life and will be accepted at the Hillcrest Funeral Home and Cremation Center which is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.hillcrest1921.com