William "Bill" O. Crownover, 76, of Idaho Falls, died Monday, June 2, 2008, at his home. He was under the care of Hospice Alliance.

He was born May 1, 1932, in Belleville, Arkansas, to Euel Frank Crownover and Joyce Farrow Crownover. He grew up in Belleville and graduated from Belleville High School in 1950.

In 1951, he married Wanda Apple. They were divorced. He married Ruth Ann Gold and they were divorced.

He served as a Sergeant at Fort Belvoir, Virginia from 1952-1954.

He lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked with Douglas Aircraft Company; later, Topeka, Kansas; and in Idaho Falls where he worked for the INL from 1962 until he retired in 1999. Bill remained in touch with his co-workers and after constant cajoling, he went back to work until just recently when his health prevented him from getting to the office. Later in his career, he served as a mentor to many new employees. His patience, experience and work ethic was incredible.

He enjoyed horseback riding and training, carpentry, wood working, mechanics, photography, and making peanut brittle, a recipe that he perfected and cannot be duplicated. He also enjoyed steer roping and earned "The Buckle" which is the highest honor among ropers.

Bill was one of those strong, do what's right-no matter how hard-at any cost, kind of people. His conversations were frank, not always gentle, but forever down home, honest, and true. He was as comfortable and cool in a suit and tie negotiating a multimillion dollar contract as he was in a pair of dusty jeans, sweaty tee shirt and a cowboy hat roping steers or bailing hay. Bill was a teacher, philosopher and one of the most generous individuals ever known. Too bull- headed to ask for help but always the first one there to provide it. He was a man's man, every woman's best friend, a cow dog's proudest companion, and his reining horse's gallant mount. He would spend months working tirelessly on projects for others, refusing to be paid, rewarded only by knowing he'd helped out a friend or even a stranger. He will be terribly missed, never forgotten, and eternally loved by all who knew him.

He is survived by the following: daughter, Marla Jane Williams of Rudy, Arkansas; daughter, Annette (Barney) Barnett of Chandler, Oklahoma; grandchildren: Shayne Kremers and Daniel Barnett both of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Evan Kremers of Lavaca, Arkansas; Allison Williams of Rudy, Arkansas; Heather Hoffman of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Travis Barnett of Chandler, Oklahoma; and great-granddaughter, Lora Lai Kremers of Lavaca, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Anna Jo Belden; and a brother, Thomas Crownover.

Memorial Services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2008 at Bill's home, 5840 S. 15th E. Idaho Falls. For more about Bill, for a map to where the services will be held, and to send tributes to his family go online to www.coltrinmortuary.com .

Recent INL Article about Bill