William "Boyd" Crowder, age 91, of Clinton, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, August 11, 2016, at Morning Pointe Assisted Living of Clinton, Tennessee. Boyd was a life-long member of First Baptist Church of Clinton. He was a former member of the Gideon Sunday School Class; and he served on the Tellers Committee and was a Collection Taker. Boyd was an extremely active member of the Masonry and Shriners. His life was devoted to "Making Good Men Better." He had a compassion for serving God, family, children, and neighbors. The highlights of Boyd's life with the Masonry and Shriners are: Past Master of Faith Lodge #756, Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar Tennessee, 33rd Degree of Scottish Rite, and Knight York Grand Cross of Honor. Boyd coordinated and transported children and their family to the Kerbella Shriners Hospitals. He was a member of the Clinch Valley Shrine Club, Past President, and Children's Chairman. He did this work out of passion, not for recognition.
He was employed with the Department of Energy, Y-12 ATLC, for about 40 years.
Boyd was preceded in death by his first wife, Elva Breece Crowder; father and mother, Richard and Nellie Crowder.
Boyd is survived by his present wife, Mary Pyatt Potter Crowder; sister, Margaret Purvis of Kentucky; several nieces and nephews.
For the past few years Mary and Boyd have lived in an assisted living facility at Morning Pointe of Clinton.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 14th, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. Masonic funeral service will be at 2 o'clock followed by funeral services with Rev. Stan Elliott officiating. Graveside service will follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens with Arch of Steel.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the many administrators, activities director, nurses, assistants, and caregivers from Morning Pointe of Clinton, Amedisys Hospice of Knoxville, and the caregivers employed by East Tennessee Personal Care Services of Knoxville. The family also expresses their gratitude to the many friends for their continuing prayers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to "Kerbella Shrine Transportation Fund for Children" in honor of William Boyd Crowder, P.O. Box 868, Knoxville, Tennessee 37901. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.holleygamble.com