Billy Joe Crowell

Bill Joe CrowellWe have temporarily lost our beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and patriarch.  Bill Crowell passed to the other side at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 following a cerebral hemorrhage and subsequent stroke early Saturday morning .  Bill Joe Crowell was born in Pericho, Texas, on May 10, 1933. It was in Groom, Texas that he spent his childhood, graduated high school with the class of 1949, was active in football, and developed a deep love for the people and the surrounding area. His bachelor degree in business and marketing was earned at Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. This led to his service as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force where he earned distinction as an officer and a recognized officer in the Red Flag Squadron. It was during his time at Texas A&M University, during a Corps trip, that he met and then married his sweetheart and beloved wife LuJuana. After his time in the Air Force, he returned to Texas and went into business in both insurance and retail fields serving the panhandle area.  During that time, he became a Mason in the Claude Lodge, eventually being raised to a Master Mason in the lodge.  It was also during this time that he raised his 3 children; Billy Joe, Cynthia Lu, and Christy Leigh.  He was a devoted and loving father who will be missed very much by his children and grandchildren.He traveled during his career, eventually returning to his favorite state of Texas.  He moved with his family to Arlington, where he started as Credit Manager of The Western Company of North America.  It is there that he rose to prominence in the credit field.  He taught credit principles in the local college, and served as an officer in his professional organization.  He was President of the NACM chapter in Ft Worth.  He was a devoted and loving mentor to those he worked with throughout his career.He left The Western Company of North America to join the FDIC and was able to utilize his acumen in credit management to aid nationally in business support and relief during the banking crisis of the 1980’s.  His awards were too many to mention and was nationally recognized for his expertise.He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, LuJuana Crowell, son Billy Joe Crowell, Jr, daughter Cynthia Lu Crowell Huffines and son-in-law Woody Huffines, daughter Christy Leigh Crowell, and 7 grand children :  Davis Lee Crowell, Carson Alexei Crowell, Austin Noel Crowell Van Fleet, William Connor Crowell Van Fleet, Alaina Claire Crowell Van Fleet, Nicholas Alexander Huffines, Joshua Tucker Huffines, and also many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He will be missed by all of his family and friends with whom he shared many stories, jokes, and advice.A graveside memorial service will be held Saturday, November 20, 2010 at Groom Protestant Cemetery with a 1:30 PM visitation, followed by a 2:30 PM memorial service.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

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