Elmus Lee “Bill” Crenshaw, 88, of Brookport passed away peacefully on Wednesday August 27, 2014 at Misty Meadows Assisted Living in Metropolis with his family by his side.
Mr. Crenshaw attended Oakland Grade School and New Columbia High School and he worked on the farm with his father. He graduated school in 1943 and shortly after volunteered to serve in the US Army. He trained a few weeks then went overseas where the armed forces were engaged in World War II. He sailed on the Queen Mary, the largest ocean liner at that time, which had been outfitted to transport troops. He later joined a group known as the Trailblazers and fought in France and Germany. After, the war ended he served in Switzerland and Austria. He remained a member of the Trailblazers and periodically attended their reunions. He earned several awards while serving his county including a Bronze Star. He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ and was a life-long farmer that truly loved the land.
Surviving are his wife, Kathy Crenshaw of Celebration, Florida; two sons, Ron (Teeta) Crenshaw of Arlington Heights, IL, and Larry Crenshaw of Brookport; one daughter, Shirley (Gary) Jennings of Brookport; one sister, Flora Jo (Roger) Larson of Rock Falls, IL; four grandchildren, Lisa (Mark) Blair of Brookport, Keith (Betsy) Jennings of Brookport, Beth (Phil) Carbonari of Arlington Heights, IL and Adam Crenshaw of Arlington Heights, IL,; and ten great-grandchildren, Brandon (Jen) Heine of Metropolis, Mason Heine, Mady Blair, Tate Jennings, Abby Blair, Bently Blair, and Lizzy Blair all of Brookport, and Noah Carbonari, Jonah Carbonari, and Gracie Carbonari all of Arlington Heights, IL.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary Frances Crenshaw; two brothers; and one sister. His parents were Herschel E. Crenshaw and Mary Esther (Hight) Crenshaw.
Funeral service will be on Friday at 1:00pm at the Zion United Church of Christ in Metropolis with the Rev. Jim Nelson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Massac Memorial Gardens.
Friends may call from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Friday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church of Christ at 1132 Country Club Rd. Metropolis, IL 62960.
Lindsey Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com