Bill G. Crute

Fayette County native, Bill G. Crute, 86, of Connersville, died Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Indianapolis. Bill was born April 29, 1929 to George and Audrey Keal Crute and was a 1948 graduate of Connersville High School where he excelled as a member of the varsity basketball team. Bill served as a photographer with the U.S. Air Force veteran during the Korean War. On July 13, 1952, he was married at the First Baptist Church to the former Mary Ann Carr who died August 4, 2010. For over 44 years, Bill was employed as an engineer at Stant Manufacturing where he held several patents involving auto gas and radiator caps. He retired in 1991 and continued to work as a consultant there for several years. He enjoyed gardening, walking and most enjoyed his grandchildren. Bill was a fan of Indiana University basketball, the Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts and NASCAR, especially Tony Stewart. Bill is survived by his children and their spouses: Jane A. Estes and Les of Indianapolis; Jim Crute and Kim of Savannah, Georgia; his grandchildren: Devin Crute and his wife, Charisee of Columbus, GA; Caitlin Crute and Zach Crute, both of Savannah, GA; niece: Gail Tetrick and her husband, Mickey of Bullhead City, Arizona; several cousins, including: Diana Gianfagna and her husband, Dick of Richmond; Bobby Martin and Roberta Squires, both of Connersville. Bill was preceded in death by his father, his mother; Audrey Barringer; his wife of 58 years; and a sister: Mary E. Hurlburt. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville, with Rev. Shawn O’Connor of the Park Place Church of God officiating. Interment will follow in Dale Cemetery with military graveside honors conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Friday until the time of service where memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana (https://www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-indiana), 911 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240. The family wishes to give their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Comfort Keepers in Connersville, Hoosier Village Retirement Community in Indianapolis and St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis.