David Crozier

William David Crozier, 91, Maryville, passed away June 7, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, MO after a short illness. Born in Waterloo, IA on April 25, 1917, David was a former resident of Berkley, MI., and had resided in Maryville since 1937. His parents were William James and Addie Mae Murray Crozier.

David was a graduate of Berkley Michigan High School, class of 1935. He came to Maryville to attend college in 1937 because his mother was from Maryville and his grandfather owned a farm nearby. He graduated in 1940 from the Northwest Missouri State Teachers College. He immediately began teaching at Northwest in the National Youth Administration Program, to train youth for war industries as the nation slowly began to gear up for World War II. In 1941, David joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was later drafted into the U.S. Army. David was first assigned to Fort Leavenworth, KS, and then to Fort Riley, KS. He taught reading and writing to illiterate Army inductees who had not had the opportunity for an education in an era in which some states did not require schooling.

On August 22, 1943, David married Wanda (Sloan) Crozier in Osborn, MO. She survives of Maryville, MO.

After being discharged from the Army as a Sergeant in 1946, he returned to Northwest and began teaching Industrial Arts at Horace Mann High School on the Northwest campus. In 1950 David received his Masters in Education from Colorado A&M. He completed additional education at the University of Missouri, and Michigan State University. For many years David was the Northwest Faculty Representative to the M.I.A.A. Conference. When David retired, he had taught at Northwest for 42 years and continued to be an avid fan and supporter of the Bearcat athletic teams.

David was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church since 1937, and a member of the Men’s Forum, both of Maryville. David devoted the later part of his life to the care of his wife, Wanda.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, James Murray Crozier in 2008; and a great grandchild, Adam Allan Southern, in 2007.

Survivors include two sons: James (Jim) Crozier, Lakewood, CO, and Kenneth (Ken) and wife, Cindy Crozier, Avon Lake, OH; brother, Robert Crozier, Battle Creek, MI; two sisters, Dorothy Crozier and Margaret Crozier, both of Royal Oak, MI; four grandchildren, Lauree, and husband, Danny Valverde, Golden, CO; Michael Crozier, Portland, OR; Amy, and husband, Lee Beaver, Kansas City, MO; Jamie, and husband, Drew Southern, Walnut Cove, N.C. He is also survived by six great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Crozier has been cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A. M., Saturday August 2, 2008, at the First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Robert Ceperley officiating. The inurnment will be immediately following the service at the Nodaway Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Maryville. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A. M. to 11:00 A. M. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the First Presbyterian Church, Maryville. Services are under the direction of the Bram Funeral Home of Maryville, Inc. Online condolences: www.bramfuneralhome.com