Obituary: William Henry Crutchfield (March 29, 1934-Aug. 11, 2009)

William Henry Crutchfield

March 29, 1934 - Aug. 11, 2009

Kind words can be

short and easy to speak,

but their echoes are       truly endless.

~Mother Theresa

 Our beloved warrior, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, great uncle, cousin, friend and husband to Lana Crutchfield for 32 years, passed peacefully in his sleep on August 11, 2009. William Henry Crutchfield leaves a beautiful legacy living on through his many cherished family members.

He was preceded in death by parents, Edward and Lila Crutchfield; sister, Elaine Crutchfield-Clary; nephew, Marshall Sundberg; and grandsons, Christopher and Steven. His siblings are Mary (Jackie) Birchfield; Joy Sundberg; and Robert (Bob) Crutchfield.

He was a respected elder of the Yurok Tribe and lived at McKinnon Hill on the Yurok Reservation.  William (Bill) Crutchfield was born on March 29th, 1934.   He grew up in Blue Lake and lived his 75 years in Humboldt County.  He loved his family more than anything else; his family was his prized possession.   He dished out hugs, kisses and compliments with every visit.  He enjoyed family functions and always made an effort to attend.  He was a man of many trades; he made a living as a logger, contractor, and carpenter for which he was a master.  He loved to box and was well known for his fists and many victories with both rivals and friends. He sparred with the famous boxer Archie Moore in his youth; men came from far and wide to see how tough he was and found out.  He fished and hunted up and down the Klamath River, supplying his family with food.  He enjoyed sitting on the rocky bank each year watching the boat races and cheering on his family and friends.  His hands made gill nets, dip nets, eel baskets and he was very handy with machinery.  He loved music and often sang while he picked his guitar. Every year he planted and tended to the garden on their property, and enjoyed sharing the strawberries with his many grandchildren.  He was also a man who enjoyed sitting on his porch smoking his cigar overlooking the beautiful river and sipping on a “Grandpa Pepsi”.  He had a passion for protecting his family; he is well loved, and will be deeply missed.  

Grandpa Bill (known to many) leaves behind his children, Lila Rasmussen and Todd Bates, Guylla Pierson, Theresa and Rob Surbaugh, JerryJean Marsh, Tracy Crutchfield; Carleen Seidner, William Crutchfield Jr., Dick and Margo Robbins, Tyke and Minnie Robbins, Jeannette Robbins, Maria Robbins, and Jenny Crayton. He also leaves behind his many grandchildren, Becky and Dave, Heather and Learoen, Jeremiah, Hannah, Nina, Zacharia, Jonathan, Rachel, Michael, Nathaniel, James and Alesha, Loreta, Sheila, and Justin, William, Kason, Talina, Trayce, Brendon, Alex, Joanna, Rena, Star, Son Son, Merk, Chrissy, Grizzly, MarCee, Marti, Aurilya, Dolli, CeCelia, Brennen, Rocky, Travis, Tristan, Dana, Brett, Presley, Devin, Roman, Karen, and Stephanie. His great-grand children were Maygan, Macy, David, Brandon, Nathaniel, Mathew, Josiah, Trinity, Harmony, Tinaya, and Vaskak.  

He brought us together in life and throughout his passing to the next world.  There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday October 3, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at the Yurok Tribal Office in Weitchpec.  Please bring a story, a photo and your favorite dish to share.

Arrangements are under the direction of Paul's Chapel, Arcata, CA 707-822-2445.

Submitted by Pierce

Mortuary

62392gs