William Cronkrite

Sun Prairie - William "Bill" Cronkrite, age 79, passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg. He was born on November 4, 1936 in Madison, the son of Lyle and Grace (Balthazor) Cronkrite. He was united in marriage to Jane Smith on December 30, 1955 in Ironwood, Michigan. Bill was a lifetime Sun Prairie resident and a 1954 graduate of Sun Prairie High School. He honorably served in the US Navy from 1954-1962 and while serving spent time living in Cuba and Washington DC with his wife. Bill obtained his associates degree from the Wisconsin School of Electronics and worked in aerial photography for the Wisconsin State Department of Transportation until he retired in 1993. Bill and Jane enjoyed spending time at their cabin near Black River Falls. He had a love for photography which he developed as a young man.

Bill is survived by his son, Brian (Catherine) Cronkrite; daughters, Karen (Joe) Fonti and Susan (Steve) Allen; grandchildren, Brandon Cronkrite, Jason (Elizabeth) Cronkrite, Aaron (Courtney) Cronkrite, Katie Fonti, Kristine Fonti, Nick Fonti, Ian Allen and Megan Allen; great granddaughter, Lillian Cronkrite; sister, Sharon Cronkrite; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a sister and brother in law, Phyllis and Edwin Trotts.

A funeral service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 1310 Emerald Terrace, Sun Prairie, on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Sun Prairie Memory Gardens. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.

A special thank you to the staff at St. Mary's Dialysis Center, St. Mary's Hospital, The Arbors and Agrace HospiceCare for their compassionate care.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie
(608) 837-9054