William Allen Creel went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at the age of 88 at Morningside in Vestavia, Alabama.
Bill was born on November 13, 1935 in Boaz, Alabama to Mary Will Creel Boutwell Burton and Arnold Boutwell. As a small child he was adopted by his maternal grandparents, Mary Magdelene Snead Creel and George William Creel of Boaz.
He attended Georgia Military Academy and after graduation from Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, he attended Snead College in Boaz. He enlisted in the Navy and after Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida Bill served aboard the USS Wasp.
Upon completion of his military service, he attended Auburn University and later transferred to the University of Alabama graduating in 1962. Bill was employed by the Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as a technical writer and later became an editor, finally managing the computerization of that branch until his retirement.
He was a member of Weatherly Heights Baptist Church for many years but following his attendance on an Emmaus Walk and The Academy for Spiritual Formation, he joined Monte Sano United Methodist Church in Huntsville. Bill served on the Epiphany Board, served on several Kairos weekends and Emmaus Walks as well as Chrysalis Flights.
He had many hobbies including Ham Radio and served as president of the Huntsville Ham Radio Club as well as President of the Von Braun Astronomical Society. One of his proudest moments, besides the birth of his two daughters, nine grandchildren and soon to be nine great-grandchildren was a “hole in one” at a golf tournament in Scottsboro. He was a licensed pilot and at one time ran the Radio Shack at the South Huntsville Airport in Lacey’s Springs. Bill was also an avid motorcyclist and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife of over 62 years, DeeAnn Hairston Creel, daughters, Holly Mims (David) and April Purnell (Harry), nine grandchildren and soon to be nine great-grandchildren.
A private family graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Boaz. A “Celebration of Life Event” will be held at a later date in Birmingham.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Humane Society, Doctors Without Borders and Alabama Emmaus.
The family would like to thank Bill’s caregivers who faithfully and tenderly cared for him during his last days.
Boaz Carr Funeral Home Directing
