William "Bill" Joseph Crespino's Obituary
William “Bill” Joseph Crespino, 81, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, at Mercy Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on October 9, 1944, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Joe and Nellie Crespino.
Bill attended St. Mary’s School, where he met the love of his life, Pat Boone. During his years at St. Mary’s High School, he proudly played football coached by his older brother, Frank ,an experience he cherished. Bill and Pat were married on March 11, 1965, and shared 60 devoted years together, raising two children, Bev and Kevin.
A proud graduate of Pittsburg State University, Bill earned a degree in Biology and dedicated his professional life to serving others as a medical technologist. He spent much of his career at Ferguson Laboratory in Joplin, Missouri, where he was respected for his integrity, compassion, and commitment to patient care.
Family was the heart of Bill’s life. He treasured time spent with loved ones, especially summers at Panama City Beach Florida, celebrating holidays and birthdays, and working alongside his grandsons restoring cars. Bill was a kind and gentle man whose Catholic faith and Italian heritage guided his values and the way he treated others.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Pat Crespino of Joplin; his daughter, Bev Graham and husband Gary, and granddaughter Katie of Webb City; his son, Kevin Crespino and wife Susan, and grandsons Morgan and Cameron of Carl Junction, MO, Michelle Depratt husband Nathan of Hernando, MS and his brother, Frank Crespino and wife Joann of Pittsburg and their son Curt Crespino of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Nellie Crespino; his sister, Angeline Vernetti; and her husband, Bob.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m., followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Bath-Naylor Funeral Home in Pittsburg, KS. Burial will follow at Highland Park Cemetery.
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