Obituary for Coach Bill Crowder
Coach William “Billy” Crowder, 89, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away on Monday, July 25, 2022 in a local hospital. He was born on February 4, 1933 in Perryville, Arkansas to Dewey H. and Sybil (Dooley) Crowder. He received his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of the Ozarks; he later received his Master’s from the University of Arkansas. He was a coach and teacher at Ozark High School and Springdale Public Schools. In 1965 he was hired as the Westark Junior College Baseball and Basketball Coach where is coached for 33 years and had the baseball field named in his honor. Coach Crowder was selected for The University of the Ozark’s, University of Arkansas Fort Smith and National Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, was named to the Who’s Who in American College and Universities and numerous other awards throughout his career. He was a member and deacon of First Christian Church and a member and past president of the Downtown Sertoma Club. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Jean Crowder.
Funeral services are 1:00PM, Monday, August 1, 2022 in the Stubblefield Center of the University of Arkansas Fort Smith with burial to follow in Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The family will visit with friends from 1-5PM on Sunday, July 31st at the funeral home.
He is survived by his daughter, Kristi Seibech (Bob) of Alma, AR; his son, David Crowder (Sheila) of Fort Smith; 5 grandchildren, Kacey Johnson (Stephen) of Farmington, AR, Brandie Israel of Alma, Megan Israel (David Townley) of Fayetteville, Hallee Israel of Fayetteville and Alexa Crowder of Fort Smith and 2 great grandchildren, Elijah and Olivia Johnson of Farmington.
Pallbearers are Jimmie Lincks, Coach Johnny Mason, Patrick Pinter, Coach Doug Pogue, Coach Chad Frazier and Jerry Glidewell. Honorary Pallbearers are Coach Jim Cottrell, Harold Callahan, Johnny Jack, Claude Eubanks, Greg and Fred Davis, Jim Underwood, all former players and coaches, all former Westark faculty, Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club and members of the Downtown Sertoma Club.
In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Baseball Program. P.O. Box 3649 Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649.
Funeral services are 1:00PM, Monday, August 1, 2022 in the Stubblefield Center of the University of Arkansas Fort Smith with burial to follow in Roselawn Cemetery under the direction of Ocker-Putman Funeral Home of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The family will visit with friends from 1-5PM on Sunday, July 31st at the funeral home.
He is survived by his daughter, Kristi Seibech (Bob) of Alma, AR; his son, David Crowder (Sheila) of Fort Smith; 5 grandchildren, Kacey Johnson (Stephen) of Farmington, AR, Brandie Israel of Alma, Megan Israel (David Townley) of Fayetteville, Hallee Israel of Fayetteville and Alexa Crowder of Fort Smith and 2 great grandchildren, Elijah and Olivia Johnson of Farmington.
Pallbearers are Jimmie Lincks, Coach Johnny Mason, Patrick Pinter, Coach Doug Pogue, Coach Chad Frazier and Jerry Glidewell. Honorary Pallbearers are Coach Jim Cottrell, Harold Callahan, Johnny Jack, Claude Eubanks, Greg and Fred Davis, Jim Underwood, all former players and coaches, all former Westark faculty, Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club and members of the Downtown Sertoma Club.
In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Baseball Program. P.O. Box 3649 Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649.