Mr. Bill J. Crass

Mr. Bill J. Crass, age 96, of Murray, Kentucky passed away peacefully from this life into eternity at his home on Monday, August 17, 2026.
            He was born in a log cabin in Calloway County on July 27, 1930 to Dewey and Addie Crass. During early elementary years, he attended various county schools and then was enrolled in Murray. Bill was a member of Murray High School of 1948. After attending Murray State, he graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1954 with degrees in architecture and engineering.
            Next, Bill served in the U.S. Army as Company Commander in the Panama Canal Zone. During this period, it was his good fortune to be invited to a family dinner at the home of his commanding officer where he met his future wife, Rosa McGarr. Their first date was attending a bullfight! They kept in touch through the next five years, married in 1960, and had a daughter, Carol, five years later.
            A wonderful opportunity to live overseas came with securing a job with Kaiser Engineers in Oakland, California which offered a transfer to Australia to be in charge of the design and construction of Queensland Alumina plant in Gladstone. Over the next 30+ years, Bill held many different positions: engineer, construction manager of new projects and expansions, contract manager, field operations manager plus manager of the Perth home office. Other major projects included Swan Brewery and Worlsey Alumina Refinery in Australia, Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida, a joint 50/50 venture between Russia and Greece in Athens, Greece, plus design and construction of a light rail support in Manila, Philippines. Bill retired in 1995 as a Senior Vice President from Kaiser Engineering.
            During retirement, he continued his love of hunting, fishing, seeing high school classmates, and traveling (visited over 100 different countries). Some past affiliations included Christ Chapel at Sound Retreat Farm, Masonic Shriners Club, V.F.W., Murray Rotary Club and Coffee Club.
            Bill is survived by daughter, Carol, of Australia; sister, Anna Lee Riggins; sister-in-law, Mary Gotthold; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his devoted wife, Rosa, and sister, Geneva Becker.
            A memorial graveside will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Murray City Cemetery with Father Tom Hiter, Bro. Kerry Lambert, and Rick Riggins officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the V.F.W. Post 6291. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
            Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com