May 20, 1928 - November 4, 2020
William Henry Crites died November 4, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas at 92 years of age. Born May 20, 1928 in New Philadelphia, Ohio, he was the son of the late Mildred and William Henry Crites Sr. He graduated from Hobart Indiana High School and attended Indiana University where he achieved a bachelor and a Masters Degree in Geology.
Bill served two years with the United States Air Force after which he joined Gulf Oil Corporation. After being assigned to the Midland and then the Fort Worth offices, he had the good fortune to be assigned to the Wichita Falls Gulf Oil office where he met his future wife, JoAnn Jenne. They were married on January 17, 1958.
In the following thirty years Bill and his family had Gulf Oil Corporation assignments in Abilene and Midland, Texas; Luanda, Angola; Bakersfield, California; Ahwaz, Iran; Kinshasa, Zaire and Lagos, Nigeria. He and JoAnn returned to Wichita Falls, Texas in 1989, retiring from the now Chevron Oil Corporation. They were members of the Friberg-Cooper UMC.
Bill was a dedicated supporter of the Wichita Falls Symphony, The Museum of North Texas History, Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre and the Wichita County Heritage Society.
He is survived by wife JoAnn, daughters Kathleen Jenne Jones and Cynthia Ellen Crites of Fort Worth, Texas; sister-in-law Mary Jenne Boyter, and nephews Rayce, Dylan, and Clayton Boyter.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to any of the above mentioned organizations.
Arrangements under the direction of:
Aria Cremation Service and Funeral Home
1820 N. Beltline Road
Irving, Texas 750691
(972) 607-4400
4 replies on “Crites, William H.”
Dear JoAnn, Kathleen, and Cynthia, Thinking of you all at this time, and praying for your good memories of Bill to sustain y’all. Love you, Shelley & Chuck & family
I always referred to Bill Crites as “brother”. He was a great companion for my sister, father to my nieces and uncle to my son. We all love him dearly and will miss him forever. His life was rich with love from him family. Rest in Peace Brother.
So sorry to hear about Bill our prayers are with you at this time. Joe and Becky Patterson
Our lives are enriched by the people we meet along the way. This is especially true of Bill and JoAnn. I’m so happy our paths crossed some thirty years ago.