William Dalton Crowley, better known as ‘Bill,’ was born in Leedey, OK. in the home of his parents, Tolbert Dalton and Mildred Matilda (Kirbie) Crowley on March 9, 1946. He was welcomed by his three older sisters, Yvonne, Jimmae and Ferne. He passed from this life June 28 at the age of 77 years, 3 months and 19 days. He grew up in the Leedey community on the family farm and was baptized in a farm pond at a young age, becoming a member of the Leedey First Baptist Church. His school years began at the Liberty Center school west of Leedey and were completed in the Leedey Public School system. He excelled on the basketball court during high school, was a member of the team reaching the state tournament and he was selected to the all state basketball team. He completed a semester of college at SWOSU in Weatherford, OK. following his high school graduation in 1964. Bill and Jimmy Bales probably wouldn’t have graduated in this day and age because they would skip many an afternoon of school “practicing” roping his Grandad’s calves. Later, if anyone near and far needed a bull captured they would get Bill and “Ole Rowdy” and Johnny Dahl and “Ole John” to get the job done. Bill spent many hours with his Granddad Kirbie on the ranch west of Leedey. His Granddad told him once “Now Bill you better pay attention cause I’m not going to be around forever to learn you!” He would tell Bill “I bet you can’t catch that calf,” thus, improving his roping skills.
On February 4, 1966 Bill was united in marriage to Patricia Rose ‘Pat’ Salisbury at her parents’ home near Vici, OK. Their journey together surpassed 57 years, all of which were spent in Leedey except for six months as newlyweds when they lived near Spearman, TX. while Bill was employed on the Brainard ranch. Feeding cattle was done with a team of mules and a wagon. Many memories were made with Pat’s brother Lynn Dale Salisbury and close friend Donald Rohrer.
In 1967 Bill was a member of the Army National Guard. He completed active-duty training as an armor crewman at Ft. Knox, Kentucky and was honorably discharged from active duty on July 16, 1967, he completed his service obligation as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard.
He became a Dad during this time with the arrival of James Dalton (Rusty) and the addition of Melissa Fay nine years later completed the family. Bill worked in the oilfield as a roughneck for a time and he also worked for Dewey County District #1 until his retirement in 1988. He then worked for his Aunt Geneva running the ranch until her death. He enjoyed the western way of life and ranching. He was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association, the American Cutting Horse Association, the Cow Cutters Association and the American Paint Horse Association. In 1980 he won the world championship in the cutting horse division of the American Paint Horse Association and he was among the top twenty in the National Cutting Horse Association standings for several years. Many memories and lasting friendships were made during those years of traveling and competing.
His special interests included a fondness for greyhounds and coyote hunting with friends made for exciting adventures and an abundance of good stories. He was also known for winning handily at a game of pool. Bill was a loving husband, Dad and Grandfather.
He loved his family and the times they shared together will be treasured forever in the hearts of those he loved. He is not gone . . . just waiting patiently at the end of the trail.
He is preceded in death by his parents Tolbert and Mildred Crowley, his grandparents James and Emma Kirbie and John and Beulah Crowley. His sisters, Yvonne Fry, Jimmae Hines and Ferne Pemberton, a grandson Cole Taylor and other loved ones.
Memories of happy times will be cherished by his beloved wife, Pat Crowley, James Rusty Crowley and his wife Susan and Melissa Folks and her husband Wade, all of Leedey, OK. His special grandchildren Cole Folks and Cody Folks of Leedey, OK. and Natalie Taylor and her companion Charlie Kintz of Arnett, OK. His great grandchildren Dakota, Trysta, Kenzie and Mason and great, great grands Ryder & Tatum. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Gay Hunt and her husband Jimmy and a brother-in-law Lynn Dale Salisbury, numerous Crowley and Salisbury nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Memorials may be made to the Red Star Cemetery in care of Shaw Funeral Home, P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859. Services were held Monday July 3, 2023, at 10:00 am at the Leedey First Baptist Church with burial following at Red Star Cemetery, Leedey, OK. Condolences may be made to the family at shawfuneralhome.net. Shaw Funeral Home of Leedey