CROOK, BILLY H.

REDLANDS – William H. Crook, a real estate broker here and owner of the 13-room mansion known as the Holt House, died Tuesday [June 5, 1984]. He was 61.

Crook, a 40-year resident of Redlands and San Bernardino, owned CIR Realtors on Cajon Street and formerly operated Western Sales, a San Bernardino furniture store.

He died of a ruptured heart caused by an aneurysm shortly after being admitted to Redlands Community Hospital, said Deputy Coroner Ben Rubidoux.

No funeral services are planned. Interment is being arranged by the Neptune Society of Riverside. Friends are invited to call on the family.

Crook, a native of Waco, Texas, was known around Redlands the last few years for his efforts to bring tours, weddings and other commercial uses to the 75-year-old Holt House.

Neighbors of the West Olive Avenue mansion, who periodically packed the council chambers to protest permit extensions, complained that commercial uses were inappropriate in their residential neighborhood.

The broker said he wanted nothing more than fair treatment, like that given the Kimberly Crest chateau.

Crook was active in both Redlands and San Bernardino Rotary clubs. He was a former member of the Redlands Public Works Commission.