Birth Date: 03/15/1937
Deceased Date: 03/03/2024
Will R Crocker, age 86, of Smithfield, NC, died Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, following a short period of declining health. He was born March 15th, 1937, near Pine Level to Roger Sanders Crocker and Addie Mae Tyner Crocker. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Capps Crocker, his parents and his brother, Ronnie Crocker as well as sister, Barbara Neil Crocker.
He is survived by a son, Andy Daughtry and his wife Leslie, daughter, Vicki Braswell and her husband Lee. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Aaron Braswell (Karen), Ashton Reme (David), Alex Braswell, Andrew Daughtry (Ashley Siler), Allison Daughtry (Andrew Bussiere), and their mother Janet Whittemore (Joe), Clendon West (Jessica), great-grandchildren, Caleb and Natalie West and nephew, Bill Bender.
After graduating from Pine Level High School, he attended East Carolina University but left before graduating to go to work. He first worked at the Selma Police Department as a dispatcher and afterwards as the clerk of the Selma Recorders Court. Thereafter, he was a special assistant to the District Attorney for the 11th judicial district, John Twisdale. In 1977, he offered himself as a candidate for clerk of Superior Court of Johnston County and was duly elected. He served in that position for approximately 38 years until he retired in 2015. After Will’s retirement, he served for several years on the staff of the North Carolina General Assembly as a Sergeant at arms.
His service as clerk of the Superior Court and ex officio judge of probate placed him on a statewide stage. During his tenure as clerk of court, he was elected president of the association of clerks of court and became well known around the state for his dry wit and his unparalleled recollection of people and events of the mid-20th century. Politics and the personalities in politics fascinated him. He knew personally virtually all the players in politics including Governors and Lieutenant Governors, Council of State members, members of the General Assembly, and Superior and District court Judges. Judge Crocker was also a popular player on this large stage, as he was loved and respected by all who knew him.
The office of clerk of Superior Court in Johnston County was shaped by his vision of the purpose of the office. Following in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor, Herschel Rose, his view was that the office was to serve the people and his door was always open. There was never a parade in which he was not a participant, he never missed a rural fire department supper, and he issued the oath of office to virtually all officeholders in the county for generations. One news article that had wide circulation in the state referred to him as “Will of the people” which was altogether a very accurate description.
For those whose good fortune it was to know him closely, his private persona was no different from his public personality. He was honest, friendly, and always saw the good side in people whether they shared his politics or not. He could recall names and relations of people going back to the Great Depression. In all aspects he was a great statesman for Johnston County and the state of North Carolina. He left the office of clerk of court better and more efficient then he found it and he will take as his legacy the thanks of a grateful population for his many contributions for the good of the County of Johnston and the State of North Carolina.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home in Selma.
The family would like to express a special thanks to his numerous caregivers over the past years who assisted him in his daily ventures.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield, or to the SECU Hospice House food pantry at 426 Hospital Rd. Smithfield, NC, 27577.
He was a fine man indeed.