William A. Crenshaw Sr. 1938-2021

Deacon Crenshaw was born Feb. 24, 1938, in Youngstown, to the union of William and Susie Crenshaw, the eldest of 12 children. He was a product of the Youngstown public schools and a 1956 graduate of North High School. He was an honorably discharged Army Veteran.

He was formally employed at U.S. Steel for 13 ¢ years, and retired in 2000 from Falcon Foundry in Lowellville, after 22 ¢ years of employment.

Deacon Crenshaw was a former member of the Reeds Chapel A.M.E. Church, and until his passing, was a faithful member of Phillips Chapel Church of God In Christ for 47 years. He served as a deacon, van driver, member of the hymnal choir, past assistant Sunday school superintendent, Y.P.W.W. leader and teacher, former Group 3 leader and male chorus member.

His hobbies included gardening, walking, fishing, reading and word find books. He spent many hours studying his Bible and the Daily Word books; ordering them and blessing others with the Daily Word. His favorite television shows were “Let’s Make A Deal,” “The Price Is Right,” “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy.” He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He was the oldest living member of the Crenshaw Family. One of his favorite sayings was, “The Lord will forgive you but your body won’t.”

Deacon Crenshaw leaves to mourn and rejoice in his peace, his wife Geraldine of 52 years; three sons, Orrin (Tereasa), William Jr. (Tracey) and Anthony (Tyi), all of Columbus; a daughter, Adrienne (Tito) of Youngstown; four grandsons, Charles Anthony, Anthony Jr., William III, of Columbus, and Antonio of Tulsa, Okla.; four granddaughters, Leaneah ‘of Tennessee, Tyleah and Averi of Columbus, and Tushiya of Youngstown; two great-granddaughters, Ryan and Nyla of Columbus; three brothers, Paul (Loretta) of Youngstown, and Joseph (Evonne) and Samuel (Rosalind) of Liberty; four sisters, Betty Crenshaw and Hilda Copeland of Euclid, Patricia Miller of Virginia and Sandra (John) Welch of Liberty; three goddaughters, Gina Underwood, Dawn Debbie Axel and Kara Smith Douglas; also Tammy Hale, whom he referred to as his daughter, and her son, Josiah; three lifetime friends, Johnnie Dozier, Wallace Phillips and Harry Hobson; and his Phillips Chapel Church of God In Christ family. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Hilliard; two sisters, Marion Crenshaw Pierce and Bernice Crenshaw Robinson; and four nephews, Del Rio Kelley, Ronald Pierce Jr., Dennis Copeland and Bradley Robinson.

Deacon Crenshaw was a humble, kind, giving man, a true child of God. He will be missed by everyone he came in contact with. Rest in the arms of Jesus; well done thy good and faithful servant.

Humbly submitted, The Crenshaw Family.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Phillips Chapel Church of God In Christ, 3903 Jacobs Road, Hubbard, OH 44425. All are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. Due to the pandemic guests are asked not to linger after viewing. Funeral services will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Family and friends may also attend virtually on Zoom, Passcode: UZ55RY Meeting ID: 2301526249. Arrangements were entrusted to L.E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.

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