Bill Crutchfield

Bill Crutchfield. 83, of Akron, Colorado, drove his 18-wheels to heaven on November 13, 2025.

"Wild Bill" was born on June 9, 1942, to Edward Crutchfield and Arizona Hampten (Metcalf) in Alma, Illinois, the oldest of 5 kids. He attended school in Kinmundy-Alma, Illinois, before venturing with his uncle to Brush, Colorado. When his uncle returned to Illinois, Bill stayed and joined Hadi Tapia and family, later returning to Illinois to bring his mom and sisters back to Colorado.

Bill worked for the City of Brush, a ranch hand for local ranchers, and a pen rider for High Plains Cattlemen. He took the greatest pride in being an over-the-road truck driver. "Lone Rider" started his career as a driver for Wiesbart Cattle Company in Brush. He drove for 56 years before semi-retiring in 2017. It always brought a smile to his face to share the many trucking stories while driving for Mitcheck, Speedway, Alan "Penni" Pancost, Nestor Trucking for 15 years, Premier Oilfield Equipment, Kula Grain, and BTC Trucking.

When Bill was not on the road, he enjoyed being a cowboy, a gran-pa, and spending time with family and friends.

Bill married "Dee" Delores Richards in 1980, adding children, Carl (Flash) Gartell, Vernie Gartell, Darin, and Kenny Richards to his family. Dee passed away in July of 2007.

In May of 2017, he joined in marriage to wife, Gayla Halley. In this union, he added daughters, TJ, Kasie, Kolby, and Chelsee.

Bill is survived by his wife, Gayla; family, TJ Alvard, Kasie (Jon) Muhlbach, Kolby Bright, Chelsee (Robert) Chavez-Barreras, Darin (Karen) Richards, Vernie (Terry) Chapman, Philip Crutchfield, Tim (Kristy) Crutchfield; daughters, Misty and Michelle; sisters, Judy Edwards of Brush, and Glenda Canfield of OK; nephews Mike (Carri) Bass of WA, Dave Gerwick of PA, Larry Meyer, and Chris and Andrea Mora and family. Papa will be deeply missed. "No more burning daylight, to be heard" by gran and great-grankids, Allison (Zach) Lehr (Carter, Kace, Kash), Desirae Richards (Oliver, Willow, Aspen, Hazel), Quinten Muhlbach, and Gage Floyd, Cason Tow, Paityne Mora, Braydon and Tavian Mettlen, Jerran and Ryelin Woodson, Emmit and Gavin Chavez-Barreras, Timothy Crutchfield, and Brandon Richards and family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ed Crutchfield and Arizona Metcalf; brothers, Charles and Clarence Crutchfield; wife, Dee Crutchfield; Carl Gartell; Kenny Richards; father-in-law, Robert Halley Sr.; and brother-in-law Bob Halley. The following pups also welcomed him home: Scruffy, Molly, Brody, and Dakota.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the Brush Memorial Cemetery Columbarium Chapel.