Captain William "Bill" Crow

William "Bill" Crow was born on December 20, 1957, in Morganfield, Kentucky, a place that shaped him and remained close to his heart for his entire life. Bill was proud of where he came from and often told hometown stories filled with nostalgia and love.
Bill's talents took him away from Morganfield, but his heart never truly left. A football star in high school, he was sidelined by an injury shortly after entering the Naval Academy but refused to let that stop him. Bill served his country for 30 years as a US Naval Officer with distinction, rising to become a Captain and the Commanding Officer of the USS Austin and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. He often said his favorite years were spent aboard the USS Peterson and the USS Austin, where his quick wit and warmth made him a beloved friend and leader. After retiring from the Navy, he was the president of the Virginia Ship Repair Association for 13 years. His leadership made a lasting impact on the organization and the entire ship repair industry.
Bill's life was guided by three unshakable pillars: faith, family, and friends.
His faith was joyful and unwavering. He was a longtime member of Great Bridge United Methodist Church, and he never missed a Sunday service. He read his Bibles nightly, often comparing three translations at once, searching for a deeper understanding. Bill believed the Golden Rule was the most important one. He thought everyone deserved acceptance, and that those with more should give more. He believed fully that this life was just one chapter of something much bigger, and that heaven would be a family reunion.
Bill's family was his proudest accomplishment. He and his wife, Jeanne, built a home grounded in laughter and unconditional love. As a father, he taught his kids to lovingly tease each other, embrace their differences, quickly forgive one another, and laugh through life. He grew softer as he aged-more open, loving, and endlessly proud. Becoming "Bumpa" was one of his greatest joys. His three grandchildren adored him, and he adored them right back.
Bill saw everyone he met as a friend, and his generosity was legendary. If you were out to dinner, he always paid. He was allergic to arrogance and didn't care about anyone's wealth or status. He believed kindness was the truest sign of character and was kind to everyone he met.
Bill also had his quirks – many of them. He set every clock in the house to the wrong time so he would never be late. He hated blue jeans and proudly called himself "the khaki monster." He was meticulous about Tupperware organization. Bill demanded king-sized beds and heavy air conditioning to sleep. He had a strong Southern palate and could eat more food than anyone you'd ever met: bacon grease on vegetables, mayonnaise on everything, and an obsessive love of diet Mountain Dew. He watched Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune every night. Being a contestant on The Price Is Right was one of his great unfulfilled dreams-though anyone who knew him would agree that he would have been the perfect contestant. He also believed he was a reincarnated WWII pilot, which explained his love of big band music and crooners like Frank Sinatra.
Bill loved attending musicals, plays, and concerts, and often saw two shows a day when visiting New York City. He was happiest clapping, laughing, or singing along. He was a passionate audience member, frequently asked (kindly) to keep his excitement down. But joy, for Bill, was meant to be shared. His booming laugh filled every room.
Bill spent the last two nights of his life exactly as he would have wanted: surrounded by family, celebrating his son's marriage to his husband at a Sangeet and wedding in Brooklyn. His final night was filled with friends, family, music, joy, and pride. The last photo of Bill is him smiling, wearing suspenders, one of his many stained polos, his beloved "Bumpa" bracelet with his Mountain Dew socks showing. It perfectly captures him. It was an epic end for an epic man.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Jeanne Crow; his children, John Crow and his husband Rishi Vohra, Karen Crow and her husband Paul Dydula, Sara Crow, and Kevin Crow; and his grandchildren, Lila Crow, Isaac Dydula, and Ava Banegas. He is also survived by his sisters, Gwen Paris and Gail Wilson, and by many nieces, nephews, and other loving family members.
Bill lived big. He loved big. He laughed big. The world is quieter without him, but our lives are louder-and better-because he was here.
A Celebration of Life and Reception for Bill will be held at the Downtown Norfolk Marriott Hotel, 235 E Main St, Norfolk, VA 23510 on Saturday, November 15 at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Bill to the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore (https://foodbankonline.org/give/more-ways-to-give/tribute-giving/) and the Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads (https://hrva.asymca.org/billcrow).