William Crandall (Bill),81,passed from this life into eternity, surrounded by his wife and children on Dec. 29, 2016, after a long illness. Bill was born July 5, 1935 in San Jose California. His parents were Elmer Crandall and Louisa Blanche Stephens.
Bill served his country for 21 years in the United States Air Force, moving his family throughout the U.S. and overseas. He would be stationed at 12 differentbases during his career. Upon his retirement from the military in 1974, he worked forWesternOil driving tankers in theoilfields of New Mexico. In June of 1975, he and his family moved back to Alaska,where they had beenpreviouslystationed. Soonafter arriving he began working civil service at Eielson AFB. He would work about 5 years there and then served as Manager of the Church Welfare Farm in Salcha, AK. He finished his work years employed by Access Alaska,workingas a community resource coordinator facilitating the building of wheelchair rampsandadvocating for "accessible access" to all buildings in Fairbanks andthesurrounding areas. Bill helpedstart and drove forVanTran,a para transit system that provided transport of wheelchair bound and other challenged individuals toappointments, shopping,and other necessary trips.He was active inadvocatingand teaching abouttheAmericans with Disabilities Actproviding information andsupport to local businessesneeding to becomemoreaccessible. He also participated in programs thathighlightedthe "abilities" of the disabled in such ways as the wheelchair marathon fromFairbanksto Anchorage. Bill would advocate, teach, and participate in many otherAccess Alaskasponsored activities during his 10 year time in that position. He would retire in 1995.
‚ÄãBill met and married his wife Joan whilehe wasstationed at Scott AFB,Illinois. They were married in theArnold, MissouriLutheran Church in 1956. Tenchildren wereeventuallyborn to this unionover the next 19 years. In 1961 while serving atFuchuAir Stationin Tokyo, Japan, Bill and Joanwere baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Bill remained a faithful member of the churchthroughout his lifeserving in many callings over the years. After retirement in 1995 BillandJoan would become "geriatricgypsies" traveling to the lower 48 to visit childrenandgrandchildren during the winter months.
‚ÄãBy 2014 Bill's failing health necessitated moving to Utah where they live in an apartment in the home of their daughter Beckyandson-in-law Troy.
Bill lived a long and productive life, never refusingto help anyoneand he lovedAlaska for all of the reasons that peoplegothere and stay
Bill is survived by his wife Joan Crandall, 10 children, Billie Jo Spohn (Rodney), Peggy Sims, Stephen Crandall (Holly), Susan Block (Jed), David Crandall (Tracy), Daniel Crandall (Renee), Becky Stoudt (Troy), Julie Brunson (Terrence), Jesse Crandall, Rachel Ford (Lamont), 36 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins and two nieces that he met for the very first time on a recent trip to Virginia. It was a huge surprise for him when he met Valerie DiCroce Van Dunk and Nikki DiCroce and children. Bill was preceeded in death by his father (Elmer), mother (Peggy), sister (Marlene), brother (Butch) and two grandchildren (Napua and David).
Private family services will be held in his honor.
