William "Bill" Joseph Crouch Sr., 88, of St. Albans, passed away Monday, July 27, 2015 at CAMC Memorial Hospital after a sudden illness.
Born June 4, 1927 in South Charleston, Bill was a son of the late Carl Edward "Mike" and Veleria Crouch. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Preston Crouch, and brothers, James Edward, Wherle Vintrue, Donald Ray and Ronald Clay.
Bill volunteered for World War II at the age of 17 and saw duty at Pearl Harbor, the invasion of Saipin, prepared for the invasion of Japan and saw service in the Aleutian Islands with the United States Navy. He attended Marshall College, and while there met and married the love of his life, Lola Catherine Preston Crouch. They were married 50 years. While raising a family, Bill umpired Little League baseball for 25 years and was known as "Mr. Umpire." He worked 37 years at Union Carbide Corp. In his retirement, Bill enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Lola were faithful members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Albans, where they participated in the charismatic prayer group and Bill served as a eucharistic minister. Bill also enjoyed traveling, especially to Gatlinburg, Tenn.
He is survived by his children, Cindy Lou Martin of St. Albans, William "Billy" Joseph Crouch Jr. of Hurricane, Elizabeth Ann Messinger of Nitro and Matthew Crouch of St. Albans; grandchildren, John, Katie, Amy, Mary, Sarah, Jeremy, Mike, Jesse, Jessica, Michelle and Johnathan; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Albans, with the Rev. Father Patrick M. McDonough as celebrant. Entombment will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Francis School, 525 Holley St., St. Albans, WV 25177.
Visit www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com to share memories of Bill or to express condolences.
Bartlett-Chapman Funeral Home, family-owned at located at 409 Sixth Ave., St. Albans, is honored to serve the Crouch family.