December 12th, 1966 – June 5th, 2026

William E. Crabtree Jr., aka “Will”, “Willis”, or “Willie” was born to Bill and Maxine Crabtree of Rock Hill, Missouri on December 12, 1966. Will was the youngest and the only boy of the 4 Crabtree siblings, setting him up for a lifetime of being spoiled by the women in his life. He would be the first to admit it!

Loving son, brother, uncle, great-uncle, nephew, and cousin. Will was proceeded in death by his parents. He is survived by sisters Sheila Perrey (Skip) of Richmond, VA; Sharon Crabtree of Rock Hill, MO, and Sarah Carnes (Michael) of Bethalto, IL; nieces and nephews Ryan Perrey, Rachel Durgin, Kennedy Carnes, Kolby Carnes, Christopher Carnes and Craig Carnes and many great- nieces and nephews. Fred will greatly miss his fur buddy.

Will graduated from Webster Groves High School in the summer of 1984. He had a lifelong passion for cars and was dedicated to all things NASCAR. When you couldn’t find him in the school classroom, you looked in the WG auto shop to find him tinkering with the Driver’s Ed cars. It set him up for his future in the automotive industry.

After school and for the remainder of his professional career he worked for various service stations around St. Louis, starting with McNamara’s Standard on Manchester Rd., before moving to their Lindbergh and Ballas/Clayton stations. Later he helped manage Leach’s BP on Manchester Road not far from his home. He remained there until his health prevented him from continuing to work full-time.

A loyal St. Louis sports fan, he was an avid St. Louis Blues hockey supporter and never so happy as the when they won the 2019 Stanley Cup (LGB!). When there wasn’t a hockey game or NASCAR race, he loved to watch the Cardinals play ball.

A tall, good-looking, charismatic guy, many a night would find him at his favorite place in town, The Trainwreck Saloon in Rock Hill, MO, shooting the breeze, watching a game, or playing video golf. Many thanks to all the staff at the Wreck and his friends far and wide who have supported him during his 15-year battle with kidney disease. There are too many of you to name, but we know who you are!

His sisters and extended family would like to send a heartfelt “Thank You” to the medical team at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield who helped him fight the battle with his disease on his own terms. To Dr. Thomas Pohlman and his favorite nurse, Janet, and to the entire staff at US Renal Care in Chesterfield, thank you, for helping him fight the good fight.

Will specifically requested that we “skip the funeral”, so a Celebration of Life will be held in his honor at The Trainwreck Saloon in Rock Hill, MO. Join us as we raise a glass to his life, share a few pictures and stories, or a round of arcade golf, and remember the best of him!

In lieu of flowers please feel free to send a donation to The National Kidney Foundation or charity of your choice in his honor.