William “Skip” Crutcher of Merced, Ca, passed away Monday, June 15, 2015 at a hospital in Sacramento. He was 71. Skip was born in Dos Palos, CA. on June 14, 1944 to Jess and Naomi (Long) Crutcher. Because June 14th is Flag Day, Skip would say the flags flown in town were just for his birthday. Skip got his nickname from a nurse at the hospital. She took him to his mother and said, “Here’s your little Skipper”. He was Skip from that point on.
Skip attended Dos Palos High School after which he enlisted in the Army. His basic training was at Fort Ord, CA and his special forces training was at Fort Benning, GA. He was then chosen as one of the elite, a Green Beret. Skip served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1967.
Skip married Sharlynn Bowling January 7, 1966. Their first son was born in 1968 and the second in 1971. That same year the family moved to Merced where they made their home. Skip worked for the Merced County Sheriff’s Department in Corrections for 29 years, retiring August 14, 1999.
Sharlynn passed away November 15, 1989, leaving a void that Skip never got over. July 27, 1994, Skip was blessed with another son, Christopher.
Skip was preceded in death by his parents and Sharlynn. He is survived by his sons, Aaron of Anchorage, AK, Lance (Conchita) of Merced, CA and Chris of Midland, TX. His siblings, Kenneth Crutcher and Virginia Pierce of Dos Palos, CA, Debbie Whitwill of Coalinga, CA and Kris Chinnock of Merced, CA. Nine grandchildren, Sharlynn, and Charlotte of Alaska, Justin, Sharlynn, Elizabeth, Shyan, Kaitlynn, Christian and Brenden of California. His first great-grandchild Kennedy is due in September.
Visitation will begin at 10am Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel of Dos Palos, followed with the Funeral Service at 11am. Burial with honors will be in the Dos Palos Cemetery District.
A potluck reception will be held at the home of Kenneth Crutcher, 44671 W. Hobart Dos Palos, CA. 93620.