Bill worked as a coal miner in Southern Illinois and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, Local 1148. He loved all sports and was heavily involved with the Belleville East Boosters. His passion for sports began as a child, his sport was basketball and he was a member of the Pinckneyville Panthers, 1948 State Champion basketball team and the State Runner-Up team in 1949. He was inducted into the IHSA Hall of Fame in 1989. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling. He was also the family boater, spending countless hours at the wheels as family and friends skied the open waters. He never met a stranger and will be remembered as a loving family man. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex “EcK” and Edith, nee Preston, McCrary and his sister, Roberta Schneider-Hutchison.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 66 years, Dana McCrary, nee Sutton, of Swansea, Illinois, his children, David (Rosie) McCrary, of Belleville, Illinois, Daniel R. (Deb) McCrary, Sr., of Belleville, Illinois, Dale McCrary, of Swansea, Illinois, and Douglas (Debbie) McCrary of Swansea, Illinois,; his grandchildren, Jacob McCrary, Tyler (Gayle) McCrary, Andrew McCrary, Daniel R. (Bria) McCrary, Jr., Daron McCrary, Donovan (Jessie) McCrary, Eric (Emily Townsley) McCrary, and Kelly (Tanner) Search; his great grandchildren, Heidi, Henry, Herbert, Dylan, Ian, Ava, Riley, and twins on the way; a brother, Dave “Red” (Mary) McCrary, of Marissa, Ilinois, and many other relatives, and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Belleville East Boosters. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.valhallagardensofmemoryandfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 11 to 12 noon, Friday, December 29, 2017 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.
Funeral: Services will be held at 12 noon, Friday, December 29, 2017 at the funeral home with Rev. Charles West officiating. Inurnment will follow privately in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Illinois.
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William R. “Bill” McCrary, 86, of Swansea, IL, born December 12, 1931, in Pinckneyville, Illinois, passed away, December 25, 2017, at home in Swansea, Illinois.
Bill worked as a coal miner in Southern Illinois and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America, Local 1148. He loved all sports and was heavily involved with the Belleville East Boosters. His passion for sports began as a child, his sport was basketball and he was a member of the Pinckneyville Panthers, 1948 State Champion basketball team and the State Runner-Up team in 1949. He was inducted into the IHSA Hall of Fame in 1989. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling. He was also the family boater, spending countless hours at the wheels as family and friends skied the open waters. He never met a stranger and will be remembered as a loving family man. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alex “EcK” and Edith, nee Preston, McCrary and his sister, Roberta Schneider-Hutchison.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 66 years, Dana McCrary, nee Sutton, of Swansea, Illinois, his children, David (Rosie) McCrary, of Belleville, Illinois, Daniel R. (Deb) McCrary, Sr., of Belleville, Illinois, Dale McCrary, of Swansea, Illinois, and Douglas (Debbie) McCrary of Swansea, Illinois,; his grandchildren, Jacob McCrary, Tyler (Gayle) McCrary, Andrew McCrary, Daniel R. (Bria) McCrary, Jr., Daron McCrary, Donovan (Jessie) McCrary, Eric (Emily Townsley) McCrary, and Kelly (Tanner) Search; his great grandchildren, Heidi, Henry, Herbert, Dylan, Ian, Ava, Riley, and twins on the way; a brother, Dave “Red” (Mary) McCrary, of Marissa, Ilinois, and many other relatives, and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Belleville East Boosters. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.valhallagardensofmemoryandfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 11 to 12 noon, Friday, December 29, 2017 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.
Funeral: Services will be held at 12 noon, Friday, December 29, 2017 at the funeral home with Rev. Charles West officiating. Inurnment will follow privately in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Illinois.
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