A brief history of a wonderful man

William H Crean, Jr.
born in Salem, MA, on March 22, 1934, went home to the Lord on April 11, 2010, with his son Bill and daughter Kathleen at his side in Desert Bloom Care Home, Peoria, AZ. Bill grew up in Peabody, MA, graduated from St. John's Prep in 1951, and entered the Xaverian Brothers. He earned a B.A. in English at Catholic University (1957) and a Master's in Philosophy at Boston College (1969). Bill taught in Xaverian High Schools for 22 years in New York and Massachusetts. He moved to Phoenix and worked as a Federal Probation and Parole Officer for 20 years, teaching Religion and Philosophy in community colleges and prisons at night. After retirement, he taught GED classes for many years. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Peggy (Mulligan) of Glendale, AZ; daughter Deborah (Mark) Everett of Hamilton, MA, daughter Kathleen (Kevin) Harmon of Porter Ranch, CA; and son William V. (Stephanie) of Richardson, TX; grandchildren Emily, Matthew, and Ethan Everett; Sean and Ashley Harmon; and Will and Allison Crean; brothers John (Pauline), Paul (Norma), and David (Dee); and countless nieces and nephews and friends. Bill was a man who valued people and relationships above all else, and the investment he made in so many people is reflected in changed lives throughout Arizona and the country. His ability to live life to the fullest, without regrets, is a model to us all. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m. at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to AZ-Call-A-Teen Youth Resources, 649 North 6th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003.