1934-2026
He was born and raised in Garfield County, OK and graduated high school in Garber, OK in 1952. He then furthered his studies in Mathematics at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, OK.
In 1954 Employment brought him to Sterling, Kansas where he was an off-set printer at the Sterling Bulletin Newspaper until 1980. He then began working for Security Pacific Finance and finished his career with Bank of America in 1997.
Bill’s first love was horses. In his younger years he broke and trained many. He also designed, created, and welded pony carts and made harness for his Shetland teams.
He traveled as a stockman on the Rumford Rodeo circuit and was a member of the Sandhill Saddle Club and Sterling Saddle Club. During the seventies his team and wagon was a favored and prize-winning entry in the Centennial parades. Several dignitaries running for office or re-election often asked him to escort them in his wagon during the Fourth of July parades.
When he moved to Sterling he needed a pasture for his horse and that’s how he met his future wife. They married in 1958 and had two daughters.
They belonged to Good Sam’s Camping Club. They enjoyed traveling in their RV especially to the horse races in AR and the hot air balloons in NM.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann. His parents, Daniel and Opal Crofford. Three sisters, Mary Crofford, Ernestine King, and Margie Butcher. Brothers-in-law, Marshall King and John Butcher. His brother, Dan Crofford and sister-in-law Leona. His niece Linda Butcher King.
He is survived by his daughters, Kathy Crofford of Sterling, KS and Janelle (Larry Prothro) of Salina, KS. His grandson, Graham Prothro of Salina, KS. Two step-granddaughters Audra Prothro & Megan (Taylor) Alameda of Oregon. 3 step-great-grandchildren Logan Prothro, Grace and Cosmo Alameda.
Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Monday, March 16, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with Pastor Michael Gray officiating. Burial will follow at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M., Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present. Memorials may be given to the Sterling Village in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.
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