Bill Crotts, 84, of Alma, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2019 in Van Buren. He was born April 17, 1935 in Charleston to the late Daniel and Opal Crotts. He was a 1953 Alma High School graduate, and went to Arkansas Tech on a football scholarship but after one semester he saw the fish floppin’ and the ducks flying and headed home. He was a member of the Alma United Methodist Church, the Alma Masonic Lodge #735, the Order of the Eastern Star Remy #260, and the Arkansas Fur Trappers Association. He was a retired driver for ABF, having retired early to become a commercial fisherman. He was preceded in death by a sister, Maxine Hall, and two brothers, Paul Crotts, and Willie Max Crotts.
He is survived by his wife, Donna of the home; two daughters, Debbie Brown and husband Ricky, and Lisa O’Kelley and husband Tim, all of Alma; a son, Daryl Crotts and wife Pat of Altus; a sister, Marilyn Hawkins of Mulberry; a brother, David Crotts and wife Janee of Alma; seven grandchildren, Jerry Don Kelley (Jennifer), Wendi Bradley (Michael), Amanda Ewing (Barret), Jake O’Kelley (Holly), Hannah Crotts (Chris Huskey), Brandi Lanning (Aaron), and Rikki Turner (Justin); and nine great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Kelley, Caden Bradley, Welles Ewing, Cilas Bradley, Lennie Ewing, Olivia O’Kelley, Rylee Lanning, Gunner Lanning, Sam Turner, and baby O’Kelley.
Family-hosted graveside memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Dyer Cemetery. Cremation is under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.
Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Hood, Hugh Spencer, Ronnie Milsap, Brad McDaniel, Gerald Provence, and the Alma Masonic Lodge #735.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Crawford County Health & Rehab, and to Heart of Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alma First United Methodist Church at 416 Short Street, Alma, AR 72921
