William W. Crowder

1934 - 2025

William W. Crowder

Born: May 20, 1934 | Died: May 9, 2025

William (Bill) Wilson Crowder born May 20th 1934 in Maryville TN was preceded in death by his parents Dr. William Clay Crowder and Grace Wilson Crowder, and his brothers Clay & Richard Crowder. He is succeeded by his wife Margaret (Peggy), two sons David, and Stephen, and Stephen's sons and daughter Dean, Dani, and Drew.

He grew up in Maryville TN, where as a child demonstrated strength, agility, and leadership when playing with his two brothers and neighborhood kids. So, it was no surprise that as a student at Maryville High School he would Letter in five categories - baseball, basketball, football, tennis & cheerleading. Later in life, he would win a state mixed doubles tennis championship.

His parents, Bill Sr. and Grace were both paid vocalists in a Memphis church choir, where they met. His mother played violin, so young Billy was encouraged to play music and learned the discipline of practice through the study of piano. In his teens he would be selected for All District Football Team, as well as winning the Buxton Cup in piano. His leadership potential would be displayed as he was also chosen as the First Mr. MHS of Maryville High from which he graduated in 1952. He sang in Choir at Maryville High and later with the University of Tennessee singers.

Bill came from a family of medical doctors, so like his father and grandfather before him, he would follow the same path. He completed pre-med work at UT Knoxville in 1955. While an undergrad, he was a member of Sigma Chi, then in medical school the Phi Chi fraternity. He graduated Medical school at the University of TN, Memphis, in 1958.

While in Medical school he met and married Margaret (Peggy) Couk who chose her Mrs. degree over a nursing degree. Bill then finished an internship at the UT Memorial Hospital in Knoxville in 1960. During this time, his first son David Wayne was born in 1959. Bill then served 2 1/2 years as a flight surgeon in the Air Force, stationed in Montgomery, AL. He did residencies in internal medicine in Dallas TX where his second son Stephen Dean was born.

He finished his three year residency at UT Hospital before going into the practice of internal medicine. He shared an office with his father practicing in Maryville, TN. At Blount Memorial Hospital, he started the cardiac intensive care unit, and was an advisor to the Diabetic Education program. He also started CHIRP - Blount Memorial (Cardiac Health Improvement Rehabilitation Program) in 1979. He also formed HART (Health and Rehabilitation Training) in 1982 at Maryville College along with physical therapist, Joe Black.

He and Peggy moved from Maryville into their house on Tellico Lake in Loudon County TN. in 1989. He closed his private practice in Maryville after 27 years, and joined the VA in Knoxville, practicing internal medicine, retiring in 1998.

The Crowder family were Long-time members of Broadway United Methodist Church in Maryville. Bill and Peggy became active members of the Community Church of Tellico Village after their move to the village.

He was also a member of Maryville and Tellico Village Kiwanis Clubs. His hobbies included reading, playing bridge, boating, and he was an avid exercise enthusiast. As Bill and family were avid snow skiers, he was very proud of the fact that he skied each year for 50 years until age 84.

Later in life, he was fortunate to have his son Steve, Jeri, and three grandchildren, Dean, Dani, & Drew living close by in Maryville allowing him to enjoy being a part of their lives and activities.

Service will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Community Church at Tellico Village. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Click Funeral Home & Cremations - Tellico Village Chapel is serving the family of Bill Crowder. www.clickfuneralhome.com