William W. Crow Jr.

Our loving father, William W. Crow, Jr., born January 4, 1920, passed away on March 18, 2013, a warm spring day. In his youth, Dad milked a cow for family sustenance in Roebuck when the area was mainly farmland. He attended Woodlawn High School and graduated as a chemical engineer from the University of Alabama, where he served as president of the student body. He delivered light bills on foot for Alabama Power to pay his college tuition and living expenses. He researched and developed airplane fuels and synthetic rubber to aid the war effort. After the war he joined his family’s business, Infant's Diaper Service, the only diaper service in Birmingham during the baby boom. He later owned and managed Acme Uniform Rental where he used his chemical expertise to develop industrial cleaning products including Bullet Hand Cleaner. A subsequent venture, K.R.O., was a forerunner in the pre-wash blue jean industry. In his late 60s and into his 70s he mastered computer programing skills in both Basic and “C,” developing working programs for business and churches. Dad served for many years on the Board of East End Memorial Hospital and Medical Center East. He served as Treasurer while attending East Lake United Methodist and Five Mile Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife Kathryn Warren Crow, sister Evelyn Crow Watkins of Montgomery, children Frances Crow Hopkins, William W. Crow, III (Marty), Warren Culbertson Crow, Daniel Leo Crow (Lisa), and his grandchildren Wesley Warren Jenkins and Hannah Marie Crow.

Dad possessed a gentle spirit and a positive outlook throughout his life. He was a lifelong academic, an avid reader and, above all, a loving husband, father and friend.

We owe much gratitude to Diane Dixon of Always There In-Home Care, and the wonderful staff of CareFirst Hospice for their loving assistance.

Memorial service will be held at the old wooden chapel of Five Mile Presbyterian, his boyhood church, at 11 am, on Thursday, March 21st.