Bill Cranney

OAKLEY - Willard Duane Cranney IV (Bill), 78, of Oakley, Idaho, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017, while doing what he loved to do most – fishing on the Snake River near American Falls, Idaho.

Bill was born Dec. 19, 1938, in Portola, Calif., to Willard Duane Cranney III and Rae Clark Cranney. He was the oldest of five boys and grew up on Cranney Farms in Oakley. He attended Oakley schools where he played football and basketball. After graduating from Oakley High School in 1957, Bill attended Utah State University on a football scholarship. His college years came to an early close when he needed to return home to help run the family farm. He joined and served in the United States Army Reserves.

Bill married Robyn Pace on Jan. 5, 1963, in Burley, Idaho. They had two children, Mark and Toni. Robyn died tragically in a car accident on the way to deliver their third child in April 1970. Later, Bill married Nancy Wickel of Elba, Idaho, on July 19, 1973, and Nancy’s two children, Arden and Kristen, joined the family. Bill and Nancy then had their son, Todd, to complete the family.

In 1968, when Bill’s father, Willard, was killed in an accident on the farm, Bill had to take over the Cranney Farm. He loved to farm and had an amazing work ethic. He was proud of Cranney Farms, which he helped grow with his two brothers, Mike and Doug.

He adored his family, especially his grandchildren. Nothing gave him greater joy than supporting his children and grandchildren in all their endeavors. Bill enjoyed sports, especially his beloved Yankees and Packers. His greatest love was fishing. He never missed a chance to take his family and friends.

He had a great sense of humor and always had a joke or story to tell and a nickname for everyone. His colorful and creative use of the English language was unforgettable and his laugh was infectious. Bill valued service and was always willing to help others in the community. He served as the Oakley Highway Commissioner for nearly 40 years, as well as on the state board for the Idaho Association of Highway Districts, and, was a tremendous example to all he came in contact with.

Bill was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings in the Oakley Idaho Stake; some of those callings included serving as a member of the stake high council and in the Oakley 3rd Ward bishopric. Bill most recently was serving as a temple worker in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple. He loved serving there and made it a priority to be there every week.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy; children, Mark (Karen) Cranney of Pleasanton, Calif., Toni (Scott) Broadhead of Stansbury Park, Utah, Arden (Heidi) Cranney of Oakley, Kristen (Winslow) Johnson of Bath, Ohio, and Todd Cranney of Eagle, Idaho; grandchildren, Pace and Trey Cranney, Josh, Rian, Ambra and Michal Broadhead, Will, Tate, Ellee and McKaye Cranney, and, Beck, Isaac and Maximus Johnson; great-grandchildren, Brodi and Lexi Broadhead; brothers, Gary (Lucy) Cranney of San Marcos, Calif., and Mike (Kathy) Cranney and Doug (Karla) Cranney of Oakley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard Duane and Rae Cranney; brother, Alan J Cranney; wife, Robyn Pace Cranney; and grandson, Kody Brant Cranney.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Oakley Stake Center, 355 N. Center Ave., with Bishop Jim Cooper conducting. Burial will be in Marion Cemetery with military rites accorded by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

A visitation will be held at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where family and friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, June 2, and at the church from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Saturday, prior to the service.

The family would like to thank the Power County Sheriff’s Department, EMTs, local boaters and all those who helped at the time of the accident. We are sincerely grateful for the compassion and care they showed for our loved ones during a very difficult and surreal time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charitable fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or a charity of choice.

The family encourages individuals desiring to share a story or photo of Bill, to please do so by emailing them to Billcranneymemorial@gmail.com.