William Cribbins

Obituary for
William Hurley Cribbins

William “Bill” Cribbins was born in Burbank, California August 20th, 1945 to Francis John Cribbins and Nellie Jeanne Holloway. He was the middle child of three boys. Bill moved with his family to Washington state when he was a young boy and they lived there for a time where they enjoyed living on a small piece of property with horses and a family dog. Years later he and the family moved to Cape Canaveral, Florida where his father worked on building NASA’s primary launch pad. He and his brothers enjoyed the beaches of Florida. They even caught a baby alligator and put it in a local motel pool. As a young man his family had moved to La Habra, California in Orange County. He attended and graduated from La Habra High School in 1963. While in high school he was a member of the Future Farmers of America Club, serving as a reporter and the treasurer. He raised a lamb that he named Lamb Chop. One day when he returned home from school and asked his mother what was for dinner, she replied, “Lamb Chops!”

After his high school graduation, he attended Fullerton Junior College for 2 years where he studied Forestry and Geology. While in college he was drafted to serve in the United States Army. He was deployed on active duty to serve in the Vietnam War from 1966-1968. For his service he received the following recognitions; The National Def Svc Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. After his honorable discharge he returned to La Habra and began working for a construction company manning heavy equipment. Bill’s mother was working with a young woman named Marlaine Paradis. While working together Jeanne asked Marlaine if she’d like to meet her son, Bill, who had just returned from Vietnam. Bill and Marlaine dated for 3 months when Bill proposed marriage. After asking her father’s permission, he brought a beautiful bouquet of roses with the ring on the stems, knelt on one knee and asked her hand in marriage. They were married in Hacienda Heights California in the Fluer De Lis wedding chapel on July 5th, 1969. Bill and Marlaine then established their home in San Dimas California where they lived until 1972. They then moved to Colorado where they started their family and had two daughters, Brandie Marie, born in 1974, and Tracie Leanne, born in 1977. Bill’s career in commercial construction also began in Colorado. In 1989 the family moved to Redmond Washington where the girls graduated high school and left home to begin their own life’s journey.

Bill continued to work in the construction industry and advanced in his career to superintendent. His jobs included commercial building, state parks and forestry renovations, and a short time in custom home building in Telluride Colorado. He was a hard worker and supported his family for over 30 years in this career. As empty nesters Bill and Marlaine moved from Washington to Montrose Colorado to be closer to family. They lived there for 9 years then moved to Utah where they bought a home in Lehi and have lived for almost 4 years. While living in Utah they have enjoyed living near dear lifelong friends and Bill continued to work in the construction industry. Bill served the many communities he lived in through volunteer work as a forestry firefighter, search and rescue, and a Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse member. He had many hobbies and interests, among them, building model airplanes, remote control cars, drones, sailing, fishing, gardening, and kayaking. He was active and loved playing sports such as softball, volleyball, and golf. Football, baseball, Nascar and drag racing were his favorites to watch. He had a deep appreciation for nature and loved being immersed in it while camping and hiking.

Bill passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on November 23rd, 2018, at the age of 73 in Nampa Idaho, after enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with his family. He is preceded in death by both his parents and his oldest brother John. He is survived by his brother Michael Cribbins, his wife Marlaine Cribbins, his daughter Brandie Greenlee and her four children, Madeline Duffy, Bryce and Chandler Greenlee, and Danica Cribbins, and his youngest daughter Tracie Allen (Jeff), and their four children, Abigail, Wyatt, Shane, and Laine Allen.
Bill touched many lives and lived every day to the fullest, from sun up to sun down. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. His legacy of service and love will live on through his family and all those who knew him. He will be loved always and forever!

There will be a celebration of his life on December 15th, 2018 at the Nelson Family Mortuary in Provo UT. The service will begin at 11:00am with a luncheon to follow.