William Cronan

William Sherman Cronan Sr., 88, of Chester, S.C. (formerly of Jacksonville, N.C.) went home peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior on Sept. 26, 2025 surrounded by his family.
The family will receive friends at Barron Funeral Home, 133 Wylie St., Chester, S.C. on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 from 10 until 11 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. with Pastor David Nalley officiating. Graveside services will follow at Armenia United Methodist Church Cemetery, 2840 Armenia Road, Chester, S.C. Following the services lunch will be provided at First Baptist Church of Lowrys.
Bill, born Nov. 28, 1936, was the son of the late Lloyd M. and Lizzie Chester Cronan. Known as "Bill" to his friends and many family members and as Sherman within his family, he was born in McMinn County, Tenn. and raised in Chattanooga and Athens, Tenn. He enlisted in the U.S. Maine Corps in 1955 and proudly served for 20 years including two tours of duty in the Vietnam War. He began his career in food and nutrition service by crafting the Marine Corp birthday cakes annually for the Marine Corp Birthday Ball in Quantico, VA. He then served as the Food Service Instructor at Camp Johnson and Camp Geiger in Jacksonville, N.C. Among his many accolades, he was honored with the Expert Rifleman Award. While serving in Okinawa, Japan he learned to speak Japanese sharing God's word with the children.
After retiring from service, he worked as the Food and Nutrient Director for Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, N.C., Kinston City Schools, Kinston, N.C. and Onslow Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, N.C., receiving many awards and recognition. After his second retirement, he then became the farmer he always wanted to be. He loved growing a garden (or as we would call it a field), growing fruit trees and raising livestock. Daddy loved the Lord, his family and his church. He was a member of Lowrys Baptist Church, where he formerly served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and Brotherhood Director. He was a 60-year member of the Free Masonry serving as Lodge Master in Richlands and Jacksonville, N.C. He was an expert carpenter building his own home and making furniture for family and friends. He was an avid outdoor sportsman with a special love of fishing. His spiritual gift was witnessing and if you ever met him on the street, he was telling you about Jesus Christ.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father; daughter, Sandra Cronan Sowders; brother, James Lloyd Cronan; sisters, Sherry Joyce Cronan, Martha Evelyn McCurdy, Ruth Inez Rains and Mary Lee Brown Dicky.
Bill is survived by his wife, Linda Webb Cronan of the home; his son, William Sherman Cronan Jr. (Angelia) of Jacksonville, N.C. and his daughter, Sherry Cronan Watts of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, Michael Clark, Ashley Cronan Wise (Louis), Nicholas James Cronan Watts, Lauren Sowders Kennedy (Judd), Evan James Cronan Sowders; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Owen Clark, Bentley, Louis and William Wise, Colson and Parker Kennedy and Lucas and Logan Sowders; his brother, Max Don Cronan; stepdaughter, Lisa Newbold; step-grandchildren, Tiffany Newbold and Hailey Rodgers (Ray); step great-grandchildren, Rayne, Jordan and Luna Newbold, Raylee and Ronin Rogers. Bill is also survived by his faithful dog, Baby Girl, who rarely left his side. Uncle Sherman will be greatly missed by his many nieces and nephews.
In honor of his memory and in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church Lowrys, General Fund, 3981 Armenia Road, Chester, SC 29706.
On behalf of our family, we want to sincerely thank the nurses and staff of White Oak Manor of York, S.C. for their kindness, compassion and attentive care they provided. Your dedication and support brought comfort not only to our father but to all of us during this time. We are deeply grateful for the respect, patience, and warmth you showed each day.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.