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William Raymond Crooks, age 109, of Mount Vernon, Ohio died Saturday
February 15, 2003 at the Country Club Care Center in Mount Vernon. He was
born August 4, 1893 in Henry County, Missouri to Harvey A. and Anna May
(Paxton) Crooks. Crooks graduated from the University of Missouri in 1923.
A World War One Army veteran Mr. Crooks was the world's oldest military
aviator having received his silver wings in October 1918. He was inducted in
2001 as a Founding Member of the Frank P. Lahm Flight 9 of the Order of
Daedalians, a fraternity of military pilots, at a ceremony held at
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton.
He was retired from Cooper-Bessemer in Mount Vernon where he was Chief
Engineer of the Development Division at the time of his retirement.
Other memberships include the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign
Wars Post 4027 both of Mount Vernon. Mr. Crooks also served as an acting
Secretary for the National Academy of Science in Washington D.C. for three
years.
Memorial contributions can be made to: William Raymond Crooks Memorial Fund
established at the Knox County Career Center, Martinsburg Road, Mount
Vernon, Ohio 43050. |
