William Henry Crocker

William H. Crocker, fondly known to family and friends as “Bill”, transitioned home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 15, 2020, at 4:05 pm, surrounded by angels. William Henry, the son of the late Henry Crocker and Taggie Moore-Crocker, was born on February 6, 1942 in Sussex County, Wakefield, Virginia. As a native of Wakefield, Virginia, William attended Ellen Warren Elementary School and Sussex County Training High School. Sussex County Training School is where he met the young girl who would be his future wife and love of his life, Bernice Gray. A few years later, he played baseball for the Sussex County Braves High School Baseball Team. According to his family and friends, he was an excellent pitcher. After high school, he moved from Virginia to New York City with aspirations of obtaining a “try-out” with a Major League Baseball team. After his dream of playing Major League Baseball dwindled, he began to work at a Manhattan flower shop with his uncle. After that, he worked at Ben and Dave Kitchenette in Harlem. During William Henry’s time at Ben and Dave’s, he was an exquisite cook. He would often interact with notable personalities like Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. His time at Ben and Dave’s was brief because he had aspirations of working in law enforcement. William Henry pursued his dream actively, and he began a career in law enforcement as a Special Officer for the Human Resource Administration. He worked in the department for several years, until he was offered a promotion as a Fraud Investigator for the New York City Department of Human Resource Administration. As a Fraud Investigator, he investigated various types of illegal activities, including unlawful claims, forgeries, work injuries, and other fraudulent infractions. In 1998, he was hurt on the job and reluctantly decided to retire on August 13, 1998, and later became the family’s Master Chef. He loved watching the food network channels and preparing new and delicious dishes. He was well known for his fried fish/chicken, grilled steaks, baked turkey, beef, and pork ribs. Any given Sunday or Holiday, you would even find him grooving to old school songs while cooking dinner for the family. William Henry was an avid reader. He loved reading various genres such as poems, narrative and expository texts. He read the newspaper every day, staying abreast of current and global events. The evidence of his love of reading was apparent in his extensive library. William Henry was also a historian. By definition, a historian is an expert, or student, of history. He could cite historical information from primary and secondary sources from various periods in history. He enjoyed watching National Geographic, and was intrigued by politics. He would vote in every primary, general and special runoff election. He would often remind the family about the contributions that Blacks have made around the world and the importance of voting. He loved fishing and would make it his business to take several trips to the Virginia Beach Pier. He also enjoyed Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, Jazz, and even Hip-Hop Music. He had an extensive collection of vinyl records and CDs. William Henry loved serving the Lord. He was a member of Union Hill United Church of Christ in Sedley Virginia. He also enjoyed accompanying Bernice to church on Sundays at Community Protestant Church of New York. He leaves to cherish his memories two daughters and a son: Dr. Arnette Felisha Crocker, William H. Crocker Jr. (deceased), and Coronnie Valencia Crocker of Bronx, New York; three grandsons: Tesean Maurice Fleming, Teon Drew Khalid-Crocker, and Temeer Anthony Khalid-Crocker; one sister, Elizabeth Crocker of VA; three brothers: Harold Moore (Gloria) VA, Alexander Crocker (Spencer) of VA, and Charles Crocker (Willie Mae) of North Carolina. He also leaves two sisters-in-law: Iola Louise Powell of the Bronx, New York and Sarah Gray of VA; three brothers-in-law: Lloyd Powell of NY, Oscar Lydell Gray and Anthony Tyrone Gray of VA, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. William Henry presently resides in Heaven with his beloved wife of over 60 years, Bernice. This union was and is the epitome of Black Love. A wake will be held 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2020 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2020 at Union Hill Church Cemetery, Sedley, Virginia. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Henry Crocker, please visit our flower store.