William ‘Bill’ McCrea
William A. “Bill” McCrea passed on to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 16, 2020, at Mesa View Hospital in Mesquite, Nevada.
He was born to William Bruce and Nora Stockford McCrea on August 31, 1929, in Torrington, Connecticut, and was their only child.
Bill was active in sports: ice hockey, baseball, football, and basketball. He attended Clarkson Institute of Technology on an ice hockey scholarship until the Korean War broke out. He was very glad to have served his country as a first generation American, as an Army medic in Korea, 1951 to 1953.
After Bill returned from Korea he went to Colorado Springs to attend Colorado College, where he also earned an ice hockey scholarship. It was in the registration line at C.C. where he met Sallee Jo Hazeltine, his future wife. They were married March 27, 1954. Bill graduated with a B.A. in June, 1956, then earned an M.A. from Western State College in 1967.
During this period, Bill and Sallee were blessed with three children: Colleen Ann, Bruce Allen, and Steven Spencer.
Bill went on to teach and coach at Antonito High School in Antonito, Colorado and later in School District 11, in Colorado Springs. There he was a teacher, coach, counselor, and coordinator for another 28 years at South Junior (until it closed), North Junior, and West Junior. He was very well respected by his coworkers and students. Many of his students kept in contact with him through the years.
Bill loved the Lord, his family, his country, and many friends and students. He touched many lives throughout his life. He was serious, but also had a wonderful sense of humor. He knew how to make all those around him comfortable and took an interest in all those whom he met. His sense of duty, honor, and loyalty were some of his greatest attributes. He had a number of sayings that he took to heart and imparted in others. These include, “you’ve got to be tough” and “you’ve got to keep moving.” He was as tough as they came. His favorite Bible verse was Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
His survivors include his wife, Sallee, of almost 67 years of marriage; their children: Colleen (Mike) Hare, Bruce (Lilly), and Steve (Leslie); seven grandchildren, Melissa (Oleg Oleinic), David Hare (Stacey), who are missionaries and Bible translators in Cameroon, Africa, and Jonathan Hare; grandchildren: William (Billy)Kenneth, Brenna McCrea and Lindsee (Aidan) Zieres; and six great grandchildren: Kaden, Makyra, Elias, Zoey, Emma and Alec.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Bruce and Nora, and by his beloved granddaughter, Heather Joy Hare.
He was truly loved by his family and will be greatly missed. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens in Colorado Springs on December 28, 2020 at 10 a.m. This will be an outdoor service.
