William Leon Crooker

03/03/2006

William Leon Crooker, 87, a resident of Devonshire Estates since 2001, died yesterday morning at Berkshire Medical Center. He was a former longtime resident of Reading. Born in Brockton on April 18, 1918, son of Leon and Ruth Newman Crooker, he was a 1936 graduate of Brockton High School. A World War II Army veteran, he was stationed in Italy. Mr. Crooker was employed by New England Telephone Co. for 31 years, retiring as a commercial staff supervisor in March 1977. A Mason, he was a member of lodges in Brockton and Reading, and was a former member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Brockton. He enjoyed traveling, visiting Cape Cod, fishing and playing golf. His wife, the former Rose Mary Pilla, whom he married Feb. 27, 1942, in Brockton, died June 12, 2002. He leaves two daughters, Linda A. Strassell of Dalton and Janet R. Hewitt of Medford, Ore.; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services for William Leon Crooker, who died Friday, March 3, will take place at a later date in Melrose Cemetery in Brockton. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Crooker may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to the American Heart Association, both in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Mr. Crooker leaves five grandchildren, Cheryl Fitts of Framingham, Heidi Kelley of Latham, N.Y., Craig Strassell of Pittsfield, and Lori and Susie Hewitt of Medford, Ore.

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