Billy Crabtree

Billy Crabtree was born December 28, 1929 in Havana Arkansas. He was the son of Vernon Ardell and Zula Grace Hood Crabtree.

At an early age he and his family moved west of Fairfax Ok where he attended school. He grew up helping his family farm around the Fairfax and Big Bend area growing cotton, wheat and raising cattle. It was then that he learned how to mechanic and fix things. In the early years Bill liked to hunt deer and squirrel hunt with his tree dog he called Spot. Bill always had a soft spot for rat terriers.

He had to trade his tractor for a gun and jeep when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953. He served his country in Korea until 1954 when he was stationed in Hawaii as a mechanic for the motor pool. He was honorably discharged from the Army in September 1955.

Late that same year at Christmas time when asked what he wanted, he got his wish when he and Nadine Chambers married in Pawhuska on December 24, 1955. They made their first home in Pawhuska while Bill worked at a machine shop. They later moved back to the Fairfax area where he worked various jobs, but always staying involved in farming and ranching. Bill took great pride in his love of agriculture and the outdoors, in fact it wasnt uncommon for each cow to be given their own personal names. From 1979 to 1989 they owned the Tastee Freeze where he was the chief cook and bottle washer.

In his later years, as Pa Bill, he enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, taking them along to feed cattle, cut hay, building fences and pens, letting them drive, always turning a blind eye to their antics until one of them got hurt.

He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed his time with his coffee buddies every morning at Brandys. He could be seen throughout the day sitting in his swing enjoying the sunshine.

Bill will be greatly missed and will always be remembered for his bright blue eyes and sweet smile. Bill went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 4, 2013 at the Fairfax Memorial Hospital after he succumbed to multiple strokes.

He is survived by his wife Nadine Crabtree of the home one son, David and his wife Shella Crabtree of the Big Bend Area west of Ralston one daughter, Karen and husband Dean Smith of Poquoson Virginia sister, Juanita Logsdon brothers, Charles and his wife Edith Crabtree, Donald and his wife Mary Lou Crabtree all of Fairfax six grandchildren, D.C., Scott, and Dylan Crabtree, Haley, Ryan, and Logan Smith, One great granddaughter, Harli Crabtree, One uncle, Earnest Hood three nephews, Chuck Crabtree, Todd Crabtree, and Larry Gilliland one niece, Allyson Crabtree, and numerous other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Ruby Nell Crabtree, daughter, Theda Jan Crabtree, nephew, Ronald Gilliland, and brothersinlaw, Donald Gilliland and Uriel Logsdon.

Services will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the HunsakerWooten Funeral Home with George Weston officiating. Serving as Paul Bearers will be D.C. Crabtree, Scott Crabtree, Dylan Crabtree, Dean Smith, Ryan Smith, and Logan Smith. Final resting place will be in the Fairfax Cemetery under direction of HunsakerWooten Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation 825 NE 13th St. Oklahoma City, Ok 4052716673.