Bill was born April 16, 1930 in Memphis, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Luther Crull, Jr. and Juanita Josephine Foxworth (Crull). He is survived by his wife, the former Alice Watson of Jackson MS and four children, Celia “C.K.” Crull, William Crull, IV (Bettie), Tookie Volz (Mike), James Crull (Cindy) and five grandchildren, Colin Kennedy (Lauren), Brittain, Elizabeth, Bill and Henry Crull, two great-grandchildren, a brother Carroll M. Crull of Sugar Land, TX and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Bill was a graduate of Central High School 1947 (Jackson, MS), Tulane University 1951 and Loyola University School of Law 1962. At Tulane he was a member of and Grand Procurator of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Navy ROTC and other campus activities. Bill served 23 years in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Captain, USNR. He served 3 years on active duty in the Navy in the Atlantic & the Pacific fleets. Serving on the aircraft carrier Monterey (CVL26). While on the USS New Jersey (BB62), he was gunnery officer, fire control officer and Officer-of-the-deck (underway) during the Korean War.
He was an insurance agent and manager for Jefferson Pilot Life. He was an instructor for Dale Carnegie in the 1950s. He was a well-respected attorney who practiced law in the Greater New Orleans area for over 55 years, partnering with F. Irvin Dymond, Edward Castaing, Jr., and Edward Lilly. He served as an appointed Federal Public Defender before there were formal panels of attorneys. He was Ad Hoc instructor in "The Adversary Process" at Tulane University from 1987 through 1998.
Bill was a member of the New Orleans Bar Association, tent member at St. Philip Neri Catholic Parish and regular weekday communicant at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church. Bill was a second year founder and longtime co-captain of the Holy Week Retreat at Manresa House of Retreats, making more than 25 retreats. He was a member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Association for over 40 years, serving as President for one year.
His greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially taking his young children, “The Big 4” to City Park and Audubon Park, and Mardi Gras parades.
He loved to travel and go to new places. He had great friends and was devoted to his loved ones.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a funeral mass on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. and a graveside service will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum, 5454 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans.
