William N Cristy

William N. (Bill) Cristy, age 96, of Ringwood, passed away December 21 at home. Bill was born in 1927 in Woodstock, Illinois, to Kenneth and Clara Cristy.

Bill was a WWII Navy veteran and lifelong farmer. He was happiest when sitting on the seat of a tractor. Over decades of community involvement, he served on boards and committees of the Wonder Lake Harrison School, McHenry FS, McHenry County Farm Bureau, Ringwood United Methodist Church, Ringwood Cemetery, McHenry County FSA (ASCS), Salvation Army, Kiwanis, and the local Pure Milk Association. He was a 4-H leader, Toastmaster, and Habitat for Humanity volunteer.

Bill enjoyed a wide circle of friends in Illinois and Florida. He spent countless winters in Sarasota and learned to love the game of bocce there. Bill enjoyed traveling, and was known to drop in on friends unannounced along his route. That Bill never met a stranger is an understatement. He simply loved being with and talking with people, laughing and telling stories. While sometimes holding strong convictions, he was generous at heart. Bill regularly shared two observations on living a good life: work hard, and always have time to talk to your friends and neighbors.

Bill is survived by his son Larry (Diana), daughter Sherri (Dezeri) DeRaedt; stepchildren Patti Low, Donna (Phil) Crocfer, Linda (Bill) Billikas, Sue Jette, Pam (Dan) Kehoe, Ray (Rose) Low, Tom (Sherry) Low; grandchildren Theresa Turck, Kennedy DeRaedt, Madison DeRaedt, Grant DeRaedt; great-grandson Colton Turck; sister-in-law Mary Lou Cristy; and many other extended family and friends.

He was predeceased by his second wife Doris (d. 2023), first wife Shirley (d. 1996), daughter Terri Anderson, sister Bobette Fossum, and brothers Don, Kenneth, John, and Jerry Cristy.

Due to the weather, services previously scheduled for January 13 will be rescheduled for a later date.

Memorials may be made in Bill's name to the McHenry County Farm Bureau Foundation to build understanding of agriculture through programs like Ag in the Classroom (P.O. Box 1530, Woodstock, IL 60098, or online at https://mchenrycfb.org/foundation).

Online condolences can be made at: https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/11593616.