William Bryan (Bill) Cromartie

William Bryan (Bill) Cromartie, passed away at Ochsner Foundation Hospital, Metairie, LA., on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the age of 79. Born in San Bernardino, California, Bill grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, the family’s home. He was preceded in death by his mother (Mildred Jones Cromartie) and his father (William Douglas Cromartie).

Bill is survived by Jane Shelly Cromartie, his wife of 56 years (and their beloved, Giant Schnauzer, Abby Rose). He will be dearly missed by his siblings: Susan (Jim) Schott; Kenneth (Judy) Cromartie; their children (Adam, Sarah, Kelley and Nicole) and their grandchildren.

Bill attended the University of Florida earning both the Bachelor of Civil Engineering and the Master of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Structures. Upon graduation from UF he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and sent to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Subsequently he served in Chu Lai, Vietnam, and in 1975 was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.

At UF, he became a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and has enjoyed many lifelong friendships with his Lambda Chi brothers. He has had a lasting affinity for Gator sports and after moving to New Orleans, an avid Saints fan.

Bill held a career-long membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers and was licensed as a Professional Engineer in Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana.

Since living in Louisiana, he has worked at Linfield, Hunter, and Gibbons, Inc., The Mathes Group, and, finally, The Port of New Orleans, retiring from the Port as Manager of the Engineering Department. While at The Mathes Group, his team’s structural design for the Electro-Coal Transfer Corp. office building was chosen by Modern Steel Construction magazine, from among all buildings designed and built in the U.S. and completed between 1987 and 1991, to be awarded one of the 1990 AISC Archaeological Awards of Excellence.

An antique automobile enthusiast and former member of the Model A Ford club, Bill personally restored, from near wreckage, two 1930 Model A cars. As an Automobile License Plate Collectors Association member, he curated an incredible collection of antique license plates, including a nearly complete collection of yearly plates from the state of Florida.

As members of the Visiting Pets Program, he and Abby brought many joyous moments to residents at Nursing Homes and Care Facilities in the Greater New Orleans Area.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank, the Louisiana SPCA, or the Humane Society of Louisiana.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, LA on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at from 1:00pm until 2:00pm. A Celebration of Bill’s life will begin in the chapel at 2:00pm.