Bill, 86, left his beloved family and friends here on earth to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 26, 2019.
He was born May 14, 1932 to Toy and Reba Cromwell in Booneville Arkansas and at an early age moved with his family to Lake Charles, La., where he graduated from Marion High School. He joined the Air Force and served stateside during the Korean Conflict.
Bill married Sue Anderson in 1952 and together they raised two children, Ted and Pinney. He was employed by Continental Oil Company then opened his own fire and safety company, Bilco. In 1969, Bill relocated to Baton Rouge and became the first instructor for the LSU Fire and Industrial Training Program teaching skills to first responders in both the U.S. and abroad. He was the first distributor of the Jaws of Life in Louisiana and Arkansas. Upon retirement, he opened Acadian Travel Agency in Baton Rouge.
After Sue died in 1993, Bill remained in Baton Rouge for five years before moving back to Lake Charles to marry Margaret Bruce Ellis, his high school classmate. Bill was a member of Masonic Lodge Calcasieu 400 F & AM, Lake Charles Power and Sail, Krewe de la Famille, and the Cenla Roadrunners RV Club. Bill attended Trinity Baptist Church.
Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 21 years, Margaret Ellis Cromwell; his son Ted Cromwell (Nancy) of Raybun Gap, Georgia, daughter Pinney Cromwell Johnson (Roy) of Baton Rouge, granddaughter Crystal Cromwell Lorio (Blake), and grandsons Stuart (Lynell) and Daniel (Lauren) Johnson. He is also survived by his stepsons David Anderson (Deborah) of Zachary and their children Angie Lyons(Brandon), Travis (Amanda) and Josh Anderson; Ricky Anderson (Bridget) of Addis and their children Aaron Anderson (Mandy) and Tessa Ashworth (Mike); stepdaughter Pam Anderson Miller (Jack) of Lake Charles and their children Morgan Willis (Andrew) and Will Miller. He is also survived by 12 great grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sue and two sisters Wadean Johnson and Wanda Carnahan.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5pm-9pm at Hixson's Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 9am until time of service at 11 am at Hixson's Funeral Home. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens. The Reverend Steve James will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at P. O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to the McNeese Foundation. Fond memories can be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
