On the third anniversary of the loss of a dear husband, dad and grandpa, we remember his life!
Willard L. Crowl, age 80, of Omaha, Neb., died on July 30, 2015, succumbing to injuries suffered in a single motorcycle accident near Onawa, Iowa.
Willard Leon Crowl was born Sept. 24, 1934 in Thayer, to James E. and Ruth (Hollingsworth) Crowl. Raised on the family farm near Iola, he initially attended country school and later Humboldt High School.
He entered the U.S. Navy on May 6, 1953 and served aboard the USS Forrestal until being honorably discharged on April 24, 1957. He married Sonya M. Upton on Aug. 4, 1955, at First Christian Church, Humboldt.
Willard started his work career with Monarch Cement upon his return from the Navy and retired in 1996, after 39 years of service.
In later years, but before his retirement, they moved from town to a farm near Chanute. He enjoyed being back in the country, having his own land and taking care of his cattle. His granddaughters particularly loved spending time there and helping him with his chores.
Willard and Sonyas passion included riding their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. They were very active in the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, both in Kansas and later in Nebraska. Riding over 200,000 miles, from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Canada, without so much as a parking ticket!
Upon retirement, they moved to Omaha to watch their granddaughters grow up. Unable to sit still, he worked part time for Kohls Department store and Rotellas Bakery in Omaha. He finally retired at age 75, but always loving the outdoors, he took extreme pride in mowing and manicuring his own lawn as well as others in the neighborhood.
Willard was a very outgoing and happy guy, who never met a stranger. He had a ready laugh, and all who knew him felt an easy bond. He thought the world of his granddaughters and would brag of their accomplishments to all who would listen.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Alan E. Crowl, Iola (1960); James C. (Jim) Crowl, Paola (1998) and a sister, Doris Crowl Peck, Iola (2000).
Left to celebrate his life and mourn his passing: His wife of almost 60 years, Sonya, Omaha; daughter Sheryl (Terry) Voss, Omaha; son Kevin L. Crowl, Las Vegas, N.V.; brother Mike (Peggy) Crowl, Tulsa, Okla.; brother-in-law Gary (Gloria) Upton, Bonita, Calif. Granddaughters Stephanie (Caleb) Herbst, Lenexa; Alyssa (Cole) Dailey, Olathe; three great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Private interment at Mount Hope Cemetery, Humboldt.
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