MCCREA: Bill was born in Northern Ireland, May 3, 1920, to Bill and Eva McCrea. Bill along with his family set sail for Canada in April 1925, arriving in Montreal, and travelling to Cut Knife by train. He attended Irene School and later Baldwinton. Bill along with his brother Jack started farming at an early age, in the Baldwinton district. Bill married Betty Sprague on October 27, 1947. They moved to his home quarter NE21-44-23 W of 3rd, to begin their lives together. They would remain there for the next 43 years farming side by side. Their farm produced many crops, as well as cattle and pigs. This is also where they raised their two daughters, Gale born in 1953, and Connie in 1964. Their family would eventually grow to include five grandsons and five great grandchildren. Bill and Betty moved to North Battleford in 1991, to finally relax from their hard work. They travelled a bit and met some new friends in the city. They remained in North Battleford until 2007 when Betty's health deteriorated and she moved into the Cut Knife Special Care Home. Bill then moved to Forest Court in Cut Knife to be near her. He remained there until Betty's death, and with his failing health was forced to move into the Cut Knife Special Care Home in 2010. Bill saw many changes in his lifetime. He was a quiet, hard working man. The saying is true, "you can take the boy out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy." That is how he remained until the end. A Graveside Service for Bill was held on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at Baldwinton Cemetery, officiated by Reverend Linda Emberley. Online condolences for the family may be left at Arrangements were in care of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home, North Battleford, SK 306-445-2418 ____________________________________________________
