A resident of Lake Forest, Illinois passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2010. He was born to William Airy Crist Sr. and Irene Isabella, nee Dorn, on August 30, 1922 in Baltimore, Maryland. His family owned a hardware store in Baltimore. Bill graduated from Baltimore City College high school and while attending the University of Baltimore, World War II intervened. Bill was drafted into the US Army on February 13, 1943 and reported to Fort George G. Meade. He was initially deployed in August of 1943 to North Africa where he served with the tank corps and then joined General Mark Clark's Fifth Army headquarters in Italy for eleven months in the successful campaigns of the invasion of Italy, including Naples Foggia and Rome Arno. Bill then transferred to General Alexander Patch's Seventh Army headquarters for the invasion of Southern France in August of 1944, landing with the General in Saint Tropez. They entered Epinal shortly behind the front line, were billeted at the caserne on the left going up the hill from the town center. It was in the Colmar pocket that they took six days of heavy fire; Bill was awarded the Croix de Guerre from the country of France. Bill wore this proudly throughout his remaining years of service which included Rhineland Central Europe. Bill also received the European African Middle East Service Ribbon as well as a Good Conduct Medal for those years of service. The people of Epinal were most generous with their welcome and friendship for their liberating forces back in 1944. Fifty years later, on September 23, 1995, Bill returned to Epinal and was honored by Monsieur Philippe Séguin, Député-Maire d'Epinal in a special recognition attended by the townspeople and other dignitaries gathered in remembrance of that important day of liberation in 1944. Bill was presented with a medal of the City of Epinal in a ceremony that was televised throughout the region. After the war, Bill returned to Baltimore and graduated from the University of Baltimore, where he met his wife of 63 years, Katherine Virginia. He later served an additional assignment in the army during the Korean War from 1950 through 1952, leaving the service as First Lieutenant. Upon his return to the United States he joined American Can Company and became a senior executive, primarily working in the international division until he retired in 1982. Bill's war record served him well in that he traveled extensively to many countries and continents where he represented his company and their products. Bill transferred to Boston, MA and three years later, moved to New York, living in White Plains, NY, then Riverside, CT before settling in Lake Forest, IL in 1973. His position with American Can Company led to many lifelong and treasured friendships in the United States as well as France, Germany and Israel. In addition to his love of traveling, his life's passion was automobiles. One of his first cars was a 1942 Pontiac convertible which he purchased before going off to war. He still owned that car upon his death. In addition to automobiles, Bill loved sailing with friends in the Chesapeake Bay and sailing in the Long Island Sound with his family. Bill also enjoyed helping people with their income tax returns. Bill was a member of the Lake Forest American Legion Post 264 where he enjoyed the monthly meetings and speakers. Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine Virginia and his daughter, Katherine Susanne (James) Fluri. He was a devoted grandfather to Katherine Susanne and Andrew James Fluri. He is also survived by a son, William A. Crist, III. A graveside service with Military Honors was held at Parkwood Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland on July 2, 2010 with family and close friends. Memorials may be made to the Lake Forest Library, 360 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by McMurrough Funeral Chapel of Libertyville, IL.

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