St. George, UT - After a long and healthy life, Keith Walter Crabb passed away on November 4, 2011, at the age of 91 in St. George, Utah. Born September 18, 1920, in Elsinore, Utah. Keith spent his childhood days fishing, hunting, and riding horses on the family ranch at Center Creek and the Antimony Bench. He graduated from Piute High School where he enjoyed an active social life playing basketball and attending dances at the Purple Haze. Keith furthered his education by attending college in Cedar City, Utah, and completing welding school. In addition to being an avid sports fan, he also had a keen interest in history-especially WWII. He loved music-particularly big band-and he had a lovely tenor voice.

Upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Keith enthusiastically enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he earned the rank of Gunner's Mate First Class. While serving nearly four years active duty in the South Pacific aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Yarnall, he participated in seven major battles including the Battle of Iwo Jima, Tinian, Saipan, Guam, Philippines, and other combat action. He also endured the disastrous Halsey's Typhoon. After the U.S. defeated the Japanese, he wandered the beach at Iwo Jima and witnessed the thousands of graves-a vision that haunted him his entire life. On September 2, 1945, Keith witnessed the signing of Japan's surrender in Tokyo Bay. Upon discharge from the Navy, Keith returned home where he resumed his farming and ranching duties. Soon thereafter, he met and married Ila Mae Hatch of Panguitch, Utah, and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Eventually, after working several years for Consolidated Freightways in Utah, Keith moved the family to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962. For thirty years, he drove for Las Vegas Tonopah Reno Bus Lines until his retirement in 1994 at which time Keith and Ila Mae moved to Ivins, Utah.

The family's most treasured moments are those spent camping on Cedar Mountain. As a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keith willingly accepted to serve in numerous civic and church callings including bishoprics, Boy Scouts, welfare programs, and other worthwhile endeavors. His greatest joy was his family, and he earned their love and respect. His grandkids will miss his humor, quirky sayings, patience, happy disposition, and his goodness. He enjoyed being with people, and everyone was welcome in his home. He was a happy man.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Charles Glenden Crabb and Irva Gleave Crabb, brothers: Glenden Gleave Crabb and Charles Dean Crabb, and sisters: Eliza Jean Allen and Elizabeth "Betty" Parks. He leaves his wife Ila Mae Hatch Crabb, son Wayne Keith (Suzanne) Crabb, daughters: Colleen (Mike) Lewis, Donna Radunich, and Phyllis (Dwayne) Lefler, and grandchildren: Troy Cook, Donalee King, Steven Darnell, Stacy Zundel, Dustin Dague, Cory Crabb, Jennifer Gale, Curtis Crabb, Kelley Keenan, Doug Radunich, Meg Radunich, Brian Lefler, David Lefler, Brooke Brim, Megan Lefler , Abby Lefler, and thirty great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ivins LDS Stake Center, 260 East 1060 South, Ivins, Utah. A viewing will be held Thursday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will follow at the Ivins City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.