AHSAA Mourns Death of High School Football Official Willie Crabtree of Mobile

The Alabama High School Athletic Association was saddened to learn of the recent death of long-time AHSAA football official Willie Crabtree, 69, of Mobile. He passed away Wednesday morning, January 30, after suffering a heart attack and undergoing triple by-pass surgery.
“Our prayers and concern go out to Willie Crabtree’s family and to his family of officials in the Metro Mobile Football Officials Association,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese. “I have known and respected Willie Crabtree for a long time.  “Everyone who knew him considered him one of the AHSAA’s top football officials. He was dedicated to football officiating and served as a mentor to others on and off the field.”
Mr. Crabtree, named the Southwest District Official of the Year in 2008, served as an AHSAA football official for 26 years. He worked several state championship games during his career including serving as a back judge in the Class 2A Super 7 State Championship Game at Auburn last December. He also worked in the Class 3A finals in 2007, in the Class 4A championship in 2009, the Class 3A title game in 2011 and the 1A championship in 2013. He also served as an instructor at State Camps and served as the Field Judge in the 2015 AHSAA North-South All-Star Game.
Mr. Crabtree was elected to serve as president of the Metro Mobile Football Officials Association this coming year.
Funeral arrangements have not been determined at this time.