WILLIAM CRABTREE

Dr. William L. "Bill" Crabtree Sr., 83, of Commerce, Texas, former football player at Central High School and Southeast Missouri State University, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 1996, in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

He was born May 12, 1912, in Missouri, son of C.B. and Ora Dell Stevens Crabtree. He and Mary Carter Mann were married Dec. 23, 1940, in Paris, Ky.

A 1930 graduate of Central High School, he earned varsity letters in football. Crabtree was a four-year letterman as a quarterback and received a bachelor of science degree at Southeast University. He also lettered in basketball and baseball.

Crabtree received a master's degree from Mississippi Southern University in Hattiesburg, and doctorate of education at George Peabody University in Nashville, Tenn.

He began work at East Texas State University in Commerce in 1959, teaching health and physical education.

Crabtree was later drafted as a tennis coach. His record included NAIA national championships in 1972 and 1978, 12 Lone Star Conference championships, and 11 trips to the national tournament.

He was named NAIA Tennis Coach of the Year in 1976, and was inducted into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982. He retired in 1978.

Crabtree was a member of First United Methodist Church, Nickel Coffee Society, Masonic Lodge, Hella Schrine in Dallas, Retired Teachers Association, member of both the Texas and National Association of Health and Physical Education and Recreation. He served as vice president of the state association.

He was a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; a son, William Crabtree Jr. of Grand Prairie, Texas; a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by a sister.

Funeral service was held Jan. 20 at Pemberton Funeral Chapel in Commerce, with the Rev. Scott Jones officiating. Burial was in Rosemound Cemetery.