Bill was born in 1928 in Paw Paw, Oklahoma to Ira Francis and Sarah Daisy Crosby. He was the second of four children. At the age of 8 in 1936 the family fled the Dust Bowl and moved to Wasco, California. Times were tough due to the depression but the family persevered. Bill attended Wasco Schools and graduated from Wasco High School in 1946. He worked as a teller for Bank of America. In 1950 he married Helen Jenkins in Wasco. From that marriage he had three sons, Mike (Kathy), Arcata, California; Steve (Rhonda) and Phil (Tommie Self) of Bakersfield. In 1953 Bill went to work for Safeway and worked several stores in Arvin, Shafter and Bakersfield. In 1974 Bill married Agnes Stacy Newton in Las Vegas and they moved to Anchorage, Alaska. He retired from Safeway in 1996 after 43 years of service. Stacy passed away in 1996 and Bill moved back to Bakersfield. He was a loyal fan of his beloved Rams and Yankees. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, brother-in-law Eldon Hoffman and step-son James Newton. He is survived by his sons and daughter-in-laws, brother Collins (Joanne) of Shafter, sister Dorothy Hoffman of Bakersfield, grandchildren Katie Venegas (Eric), Megan, Roger, Marcy, Clay (Hayley), Jeff and Mark Crosby, great-grandchildren Samantha Crosby and Marrisa Venegas and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at the Lifehouse on 3th Street and Dr. Moon and staff of Shafter. Graveside service will be on Thursday May 2 at 11am at the Wasco Memorial Park.