William “Bill” F. Crites

William “Bill” F. Crites, 93, of Worthington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Glenburn Rehabilitation and Living Center in Linton. Bill was born in Indianapolis on January 21, 1930 to Tilman Howard Crites and Dorthus Emily (Hunter) Crites. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He married the love of his life, Martha J. (Thacker) Crites on August 17, 1952 and together they raised two children. Bill worked hard his whole life, having started at a young age with his father, taking timber from the woods to trucks, using horses. At 16, he drove timber for his father to their sawmill. He owned and operated the Calvertville Feed Mill, operated the Calvertville Store, owned and operated Crites Trucking and Stone Service (having a fleet of trucks), and after he sold the stone mill, he did excavating and logging. Bill was a cattle farmer and was once the manager and co-owner of the Bloomfield Brickyard. Bill loved the Lord and had attended the Concord General Baptist Church where he was a trustee, deacon and Sunday school superintendent. Bill then became a member of the Worthington Baptist Church and attended as often as he could, with his family.

Bill is survived by his wife; children, Deanna L. (Larry) Wall and Duane W. (Cindy) Crites; grandchildren, Daniel (Jennifer) Crites, Jason (Christy) Crites and Matthew (Mandy) Wall; great-grandchildren, Eli, Evan, Cooper, Levi, Lydia, John, Piper and Louca and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Rexall Crites, Jean Strickler and June Martindale Cearing; brothers-in-law, Harold Strickler and V.V. Martindale and Paul Cearing; sister-in-law, EmmaJean Crites; and two nephews, Terry Crites and Andy Martindale.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the Welch & Cornett Funeral Home, 23 South Jefferson Street in Worthington. Grandson Matthew Wall, Craig Moore and Matt Baker will officiate. Service will begin with Military honors presented by the Worthington American Legion.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, at the funeral home.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association or to Gideon’s International, through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.welchcornett.com.

Burial will take place at 2 p.m., March 4, 2023 in Worthington Cemetery.