- Date Of Birth: July 20, 1949
- Date Of Death: December 4, 2021
- State: Minnesota
William “Bill” Leeland Croaker, Sr., 72, of Cass Lake, Minnesota passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a three-year battle with cancer on December 4th, 2021. Bill was born in Grafton, ND on July 20th, 1949, to Denise (Frazer) and Lawrence Croaker, Sr.
Bill worked many different jobs in his life, including being a bus driver for the Bug School, being the boxing coach for the reservation for over 40 years and working for Northern Lights Casino as a Mechanical Engineer until his retirement. Bill was proud of all his boxing students but couldn’t help but be most proud of all his sons who went on to be Silver and Golden Glove Champions; with Brad reaching international and Olympic level competitions. Bill and Brad traveled the country together, with Bill always literally in Brad’s corner before Brad became a professional boxer. Bill was a simple man who enjoyed deer hunting and playing pool, both of which he taught all his children to do at a very young age, but Bill loved gambling and you could always find him at the casino. Bill was always recognizable with his favorite camo hat, that he never left home without. He touched many hearts in his life and will be missed by all.
Family that Bill is reunited with are his parents; Denise and Lawrence, brothers; John Woods, Lawrence Croaker, Jr. and Grover Johnson, sisters; Linda and Judy Croaker, grandson; Jayvon Fairbanks and great granddaughter; Olivia Neeland.
He leaves behind his wife; Wanda Headbird-Croaker, daughter; Andrea “Angie” (Jeremy) Londgren, sons; Arthur “Archie” (Tammy) LaRose, William Croaker, Jr., Bradley (Lori) Croaker, Brian Fairbanks and Frank (Alecia) Wind, sisters; Connie (Richard) Headbird, Carol and Barb (Tom) Croaker, brothers; Roger (Kathy), Donnie (Deb), Chuck and Rick Croaker, 25 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
