Willie Fay Crooms

Willie Fay Crooms, age 95, of Tallahassee, Florida, died peacefully on May 4, 2023, in a nursing home in his former hometown of Marianna, Florida. Willie was the son of Elma and Preston Crooms, both of whom predeceased him. Willie served in the United States Navy during World War II aboard a ship in the Pacific Theater and was stationed on Guam Island for a time. After returning stateside and while on leave, Willie met a pretty registered nurse, Lucille Larsen, from Punta Gorda, Florida. They married and moved to Norfolk Naval Station as Willie finished his enlistment. Willie and Lucille had two sons, Stan and Jeff Crooms. After his military service, Willie returned to his hometown and engaged in several businesses, including being the owner of Crooms Men’s Clothing Store. In 1961 the Crooms family moved to Tallahassee and Willie began a career of 55 years as an insurance agent, financial planner and wealth manager. During his long career in financial services, Willie served his profession through membership in Florida Association of Life Underwriters, Tallahassee Association of Life Underwriters, and the Million Dollar Roundtable. Willie served as Legislative Liaison for the Florida Association of Life Underwriters for over ten years and in 1980 he was elected its President, representing some 8,000 members. Willie ably helped thousands of clients over the years and established many long friendships through those relationships. Having been in the clothing business, Willie knew well how a gentleman should be attired and was always a dapper dresser, whether in the board room, on the golf course, in casual gatherings with his family and friends or on errands around town. Everything he wore on all occasions was immaculately pressed, color coordinated, never sloppy and reflective of the importance he placed proper on presentation and image. Through the years Willie ably supported his sons in their academic, athletic and professional pursuits, both of whom achieved notable successes and accomplishments in their respective fields of endeavor. Moreover, he likewise supported his broad family of grandchildren, stepchildren and step-grandchildren. Outside of his family and professional career, Willie had a passion for golf and played many golf courses, in the United States and Bermuda. Many of Willie’s closest and long enduring friendships were forged in friendly but sometimes earnest competition on the golf course. One of his treasured memories was being on the winning team of the Pro Am of the Tallahassee Open. He passed this affection for golf to his son Dr. Jeffrey Crooms and his grandson Carson, both of whom are fine golfers. In 1997 Willie married Patricia Fournier, a prominent Tallahassee attorney. They enjoyed a fun and a mutually supportive relationship through their years together and until Willie’s death. Their blended family of children and grandchildren was a source of much enjoyment and memorable activities which they both valued. During their time together Willie and Patty travelled to Europe, China, and Bermuda. Patty was a devoted and helpful spouse to Willie throughout their long relationship and during the later years of his life as Willie struggled with the difficulties of aging. In addition to his parents, Willie is predeceased by three siblings, Evelyn Clark, Carl Crooms, and Maxine Roberts; his daughter-in-law, Colet Crooms; and his first wife Lucille Crooms. In addition to his wife Patricia and sons Stan and Dr. Jeffrey Crooms, Willie is survived by one sibling, Shelley Crooms ; his grandchildren: Jonathan Crooms (Brittany), Carson Crooms (Ashley), Joseph Crooms ( Colleen), Colette Marie Crooms and Nicole Bradica (Mike ); Ms. Jerri Crooms, the mother of two of his grandsons; stepchildren Gena D. Fournier (Ryan Boyette), Tara Fournier (Thomas Means), and Audra Fournier; step-grandchildren: Chloe A. Wagner and Kai E. Wagner; great-grandchildren Margaret, Sarah, Joshua, Hanna and Mathew Bradica; great-grandson Jack Crooms; brother-in-law Gene Roberts (Pat); and many nieces and nephews. Chloe and Kai had a particularly close relationship with their Papa Willie. The funeral service will be held at the Tallahassee National Cemetery on May 11, 2023, at 12:00 pm. Following the service, the family of Willie will receive his friends at the Capital City Country Club for a reception. Special thanks are due from the family to the staffs of the Grove Assisted Living, Big Bend Hospice and Marianna Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility for their care and support for Willie. Also, special thanks are due to Dr. Michael Forsthoefel for his many years of medical care for and support of Willie. Special thanks to Bonnie Walden, Willie’s niece, for her weekly visits bringing hamburgers, fried okra and other treats for Willie and his brother Shelley. Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Crooms family with their arrangements.

Tributes

Willie Fay Crooms

September 27, 1927 - May 4, 2023