William Lawrence Crozier

Crozier, William Lawrence, PhD Bill died peacefully surrounded by his family on September 23, 2023, a month shy of his 95th birthday. Bill was born in Beatrice, NE on October 23, 1928, the third son of Robert and Mary Elizabeth Crozier. His mother died when he was nine months old and his Aunt Julia Crozier came from Scotland to raise him and his brothers. Bill grew up in Omaha, NE and began working as a newspaper boy at the age of eight. Never lazy, at last count he had held over 50 jobs. During the Korean war he served in the Navy as helmsman of the USS Chopper and Sea Poacher submarines. Bill and Selma Gress were married on November 14, 1953; this was their 70th wedding anniversary year. They were blessed with eight children. Bill taught at both the high school and college levels. The family moved to Winona in 1968 where Bill taught history at St. Mary's University, eventually becoming chairman of the department. A creative thinker, Dr. Crozier developed innovative methods for teaching social history using computer data. He traveled to London, Montreal, Moscow, and Edinburgh to give talks on how to use these computer-based techniques. A successful grant writer, he applied for and received many grants to help promote the study of history. In addition to his academic career, he devoted himself to social justice issues in the Winona area and worked for Semcac. Bill happily spent time on the North Shore watching the ships, following the Delta Queen on the Mississippi River, playing tennis, reading, watching NE Huskers football and Twins baseball, and being with family. He also enjoyed his nightly Irish whiskey! Bill was preceded in death by brothers Fr. Robert Crozier, SJ, and Jack Crozier and children Thomas and Mary. He is survived by his wife, Selma; children Dan (Roberta), John, Billy (Julia), Robert, Kathleen (David) Eikens, Jon Sauer (son-in-law), and Elizabeth; grandchildren Alice (Dan) Crozier, Bridgette (Phil) Miles, Theresa (David) Sieberg, Luka Crozier, David Crozier, Michael (Tamara) Sauer, Kieron Sauer, Patrick Eikens, William Eikens, Meghan Eikens; great-grandchildren Penny and Oliver Miles, Finn and Lars Crozier, Leo Crozier, Roger Sieberg; sister-in-law Nancy Ryan, and many nieces and nephews. Thank you to the staff at Callista Court, Good Samaritan, Sholom, and The Glenn Minnetonka for their compassionate care of Bill. A funeral Mass will be offered at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Minnetonka, MN at 11:00 on Thursday, October 5, preceded by Visitation starting at 10:00. The funeral will be live-streamed at ihm-cc.org. Burial will be at Fort Snelling at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Catholic Charities or Southern Poverty Law Center. Immaculate Heart of Mary Church is located at 13505 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka, MN. Washburn-McReavy.com Strobeck Johnson 952-938-9020

Tributes

William Lawrence Crozier

October 23, 1928 - September 23, 2023

Tributes

William Lawrence Crozier

October 23, 1928 - September 23, 2023

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