tribute

Willard Emner Crisp was born on September 19, 1919 in Peoria, Arizona to George D. Crisp and Sarah Jane (Cox) Crisp of Texas. He married Elzie Tenery on May 1, 1941 in Laredo, Texas and enjoyed 66 years of wedded bliss with her. Willard was a man of many talents. He helped work as a boy when his father was a simple share-cropper. He picked cotton and thrashed broom corn. Eventually he became a farmer and rancher. He also was a self-made land clearing contractor. He was also a poet, song writer, published author, a country philosopher and a friend to the world. During his life he served as Farm Bureau President of La Salle County, Soil Conservation Board Member and LaSalle County School Board Member. He was also a proud, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. After many years of suffering through the effects of a massive stroke he passed away in his home on April 12, 2008 surrounded by his two sons, two daughters-in-law, three of his grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a brother and sister-in-law as well as his loyal wife of 66 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George D. and Sarah (Cox) Crisp; three siblings, Ivy, Lonnie and George E. Crisp; four beloved children, Willard Wayne Crisp, William Ernest (Bill) Crisp, Troy Gene Crisp and Roland Lee (Ish) Crisp; and three grandchildren, Charles Edward Crisp, Lynette and Annette Crisp. He left behind his loving wife Elzie Tenery Crisp, two sons Joseph A. Crisp of Artesia Wells and Claude W. Crisp of Cotulla. Also left were eight grandchildren: Willard Wayne Crisp Jr of San Antonio, Sherry Fox of Carrizo Springs, Larry N. Crisp of San Antonio, Stephanie Nickell of Artesia Wells, Kenneth R. Crisp of Jourdanton, Joseph A. Crisp II of Artesia Wells, Russell W. Crisp of Cotulla and Shayna D. Crisp of Dallas; seven great-grandchildren: Robert Fox of San Antonio, Robbin Fox of Carrizo Springs, Caitlyn and Tyler Crisp of San Antonio, Melaney and Allison Nickell of Artesia Wells and Jolene Crisp of San Antonio. Also left are six siblings: M. Troy Crisp of Subliminty, Oregon, Nathan Crisp of New Braunfels, Texas, Lois Kramer of Marion, Texas, Bonnie Sweet of Ennis, Texas, Marybell Sweet of Stanberry, Missouri and Pearl Ramsey of Three Rivers, Texas.