William J. Crone

To join Bill's family for his Funeral Service, please click on the Livestream Link below his obituary on this page.

William J. “Bill” Crone, 98, of Moorhead, MN, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Sanford Hospice house – Fargo.

William Junior Crone was born March 2, 1927, the son of William and Carrie (Hyre) Crone in Columbia City, IN. He would later move with his family to Seattle, WA, where he attended school. After receiving his education, Bill would then enlist in the U.S. Army serving during WWII.

Following his discharge, Bill relocated to Montana where he experienced a pivotal moment in this life at a Methodist Revival, which led him to embrace Christianity. This newfound faith motivated him to pursue an education at Northwest Bible College in Minot, ND, where he met his future wife, Evelyn. On June 23, 1951, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Hauff in Bozeman, MT. The couple then moved to Haynes, ND, where Bill would teach and serve as the school Principal.

Bill and Evelyn would later move to the Fargo/Moorhead area where they establish their home and raise their family. During this period, Bill decided to further his education by earning his master’s degree from Moorhead State University and North Dakota State University. He then went to work for the State in North Dakota and Minnesota as a Rehabilitation Counselor, initially serving the deaf community, and later focusing on the visually impaired, until retiring in 1994. Evelyn passed away June 27, 2009. In August of 2009, Bill was united in marriage to Arlene Hammer, and they continued to make their home in Moorhead.

Faith and evangelism were central to Bill’s life, and he held a deep passion for the mission of Gideons International, dedicated to spreading the Gospel and sharing God’s Word.

In his leisure time, Bill enjoyed fishing and travel expeditions.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene; children, Timothy (Rhona) Crone, Pamela (Jerry) Lystarczyk, Mike Crone twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn; son, Daniel; daughter in-law, Denise; brother, Marland; sister Kathern.

In lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to Gideons International. 

A Family Service for Bill will be held Friday, August 1, 2025, at 3:30 PM, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN. He will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead.

(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)