Willis Crabtree

Willis Earl Crabtree, 91, of Brewster, died Friday, June 26, 2020, at Colby Health and Rehab. He was born August 23, 1928, in Utica, KS, to Roy and Gertrude (Jacka) Crabtree. Willis graduated from Utica High School in 1946 and then attended college at Fort Hays State University, receiving his bachelor’s degree. He taught at Beeler, KS for one semester before joining the United States Army, serving from 1951 to 1953. After returning from the service he returned to Fort Hays to complete his master’s degree. In the Fall of 1954, Willis moved to Brewster, KS, to start a long career in education, teaching math, science and technology. Willis’ teaching career spanned over 50 years at Brewster USD 314 and 12 years at Rexford USD 316. Willis was a pioneer in bringing technology to Brewster School and continued his love of learning while implementing computer education. While at Brewster, he met Joyce Randel, a fellow teacher, and they were married on December 28, 1958. The couple had three daughters and enjoyed 61 years of marriage. Willis was a member of the Brewster Lion’s Club, Utica American Legion, MACE (Mid-America Association for Computers in Education) and NEA (National Education Association).

Willis was preceded in death by his parents; brother Roy LaFaun Crabtree and son-in-law Charles Chipps.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce, of Brewster; children, Bonnie (Shane) Holm, of Brewster, Mary Crabtree, of Wooster, OH and Tanya (Rick) Szanto, Goodland, KS; sister, Marie Babcock, of Cimarron, KS; 8 grandchildren, Shanda (Chris) Wagner, Jeremy (Angel) Holm, Spencer Holm, Tad Holm, Taylor Ditmars, Whitney Ditmars, Bryan (Shonna) Gray and Jed Gray and 15 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. Funeral Service is 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2020, at the Brewster High School, with burial in the Utica Cemetery at 3 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Willis Crabtree Scholarship Fund and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com