WILLIAM CRAWFORD

FORT WORTH -- William Howard "Bill" Crawford, a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, transitioned peacefully Monday, April 9, 2012, to be with his beloved wife, "Dot," during his 91st year, two days before their 70th wedding anniversary. Service: 11 a.m. Thursday in the sanctuary of University Christian Church, 2720 S. University Drive, the Rev. Dr. Alan Lobaugh officiating. Following the service, he will be laid to rest in Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: Family and friends will gather 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Great Room at Robertson Mueller Harper. Bearers of his casket will be Carter Crawford, Dillon Crawford, Chris Hill, Cody Whitten, Guy Carter and Wesley Cleveland Jr. Memorials: Consideration of contributions to the Athletic Scholarship Fund at Texas Christian University or University Christian Church, in Bill's memory, is suggested. Born in Fort Worth on Nov. 12, 1920, Bill was the son of Nona and Perry Crawford. He grew up on the north side and at age 15, started dating the love of his life, Dot Starns. They both attended North Side High School where Bill was captain of the football team. He was selected for the all-district team and was starting tackle for the North-South All Star football team. Coach Dutch Meyer recruited Bill to come to Texas Christian University where he was selected Most Valuable Player of the 1941 football team and was co-captain of the Frogs in the 1942 Orange Bowl game played against Georgia. He was selected for the Southwest Conference team and played in the College All-Star game against the Chicago Bears in 1942. After marrying Dot on April 11, 1942, Bill joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station where he coached with Paul Brown, Weeb Eubanks and Blanton Collier. While in Illinois, their daughter, Diane, was born. Following the war, Bill, Dot and Diane returned to Fort Worth to live in the Oakhurst area where their second child, Bill Jr., was born. Bill began his career with Texas Refinery Corp. and became vice president of sales for TRC and retired as president of Panther Chemical Co. after 35 years with the company. In 1966, Sports Illustrated magazine, considering his athletic accomplishments and his business and civic career, elected Bill to the Silver Anniversary All-American Team and was honored by then-Gov. John Connally. In 1974, TCU inducted him into the Horned Frogs Hall of Fame. He served as a member of the Fort Worth board of education, which was selected best in the country. He was a board member of the Child Study Center and the United Cerebral Palsy Association, served as chairman of University Christian Church and was a member of the Moslah Shrine Patrol. He and Dot were longtime active members of Colonial Country Club. Bill will be remembered most for his love of his family, his integrity, leadership and steadfast presence as a father and for his strong belief in eternal love. He was preceded in death by his parents and lovely wife, Dot, who died in 2009. He is with her now and his spirit will live on forever in his family and the many friends he touched. Survivors: In addition to his children, Diane and her husband, Leon Hill, and Bill Crawford Jr., Bill is survived by his grandchildren, Chris Hill and his wife, Chrissy, Kelley Hill Whitten and her husband, Cody, and Carter and Dillon Crawford; great-grandchildren, William Crawford "Ford" Hill and Hayden, Kamryn and Weston Whitten; and several cousins. His love will live with us all eternally. Robertson Mueller Harper Funerals & Cremations 1500 Eighth Ave., 817-924-4233 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of WILLIAM CRAWFORD please visit our Sympathy Store.