Father William C. Crowley, 67, former diocesan chancellor and pastor of St. Thomas Parish, died unexpectedly April 6, 2015.

Born Dec. 7, 1947, in Idaho Falls, he was adopted at birth by Charles R. and Margaret I. (Illingsworth) Crowley, and was their only child. He was close to his parents and credited them for his love of the priesthood. He was raised in St. Joseph Parish in Pocatello, and attended St. Joseph School and Pocatello High School. He attended St. Thomas College and Seminary in Denver before being ordained for the Diocese of Boise by Bishop Sylvester W. Treinen on June 1, 1974, in St. Joseph Church, Pocatello.

Fr. Crowley served as parochial vicar at St. Mary's, Boise (1974-77), and administrator at St. Joseph's, Idaho City (1976-77). During that time he established a reputation for kindness and good humor. He had a deep affection for St. Mary's and promised to visit the parish at least once every year, a promise he faithfully kept.

He was chancellor for the diocese under Bishop Treinen (1977-84). During this time he began a ministry working for adoptions. He also began to assemble a vast collection of classical music.

While chancellor, Fr. Crowley also served as Catholic chaplain at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Boise (1977-79, 1981-82), and as diocesan liaison to the Idaho State Prison (1979-84). At the request of Bishop Treinen he studied canon law at St. Paul University and the University of Ottawa, Canada, in 1985-86, earning an associate degree in canon law.

Fr. Crowley returned to eastern Idaho as pastor at Blessed Sacrament, Aberdeen (1985-86); St. Mary's, American Falls (1985-86); and at Holy Rosary, Idaho Falls and its missions (1986-87). After a year as co-pastor at Holy Rosary, he was named again as pastor (1988-90). He enjoyed being a travel guide to Yellowstone National Park, and became an expert on the park's history.

Fr. Crowley was pastor at St. James, Lewiston (1990-2000) and administrator at Sacred Heart, Lapwai (1993-95). He said working with Native American people was one of the great joys of his priesthood.

He returned to Idaho Falls as administrator at Christ the King (2000-01) and then as pastor (2001-03), serving as administrator at Holy Rosary again during this time (2002-03). From 2003-05 he was pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, Grangeville, while ministering to Holy Trinity, Nez Perce, and Sacred Heart, White Bird, and Catholics in Elk City.

In 2005 he was appointed pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle, Coeur d'Alene, a parish he truly loved. He took special pride in the historic and beautiful church building.

Fr. Crowley served in numerous diocesan positions, including business manager at the Idaho Catholic Register and administrative Associate Vocations Director (1978-84) in the diocese. In the Tribunal, he was Vice Judicial Vicar (1977-85), Defender of the Bond (1977-88), and Judicial Vicar (1985-92). He served on the Priest Personnel Board (1985-88) and as Dean of the Eastern Deanery (1989-90, 2000-03) and North Central Deanery (1996-99).

Fr. Crowley was a deeply committed and dedicated priest with incredible kindness, gentleness, and an unfailing sense of humor. He was a confessor and spiritual guide for numerous priests.

Fr. Crowley is survived by his step-mother, Charlotte Fogarty of Oregon; and a cousin, Toni Jones of Boise. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Father Crowley's name to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201-3443.

A vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Peter F. Christensen at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. A memorial Mass will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, at St. Mary's Church in Boise, with internment at 10 a.m. at Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise.

English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is entrusted with the arrangements. Visit Fr. Crowley's memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.