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© El Reno Tribune Home El Reno, Oklahoma August 13, 2006 April 28, 1940 ~ July 20, 2006 W.R. Craig of Albuquerque, N.M., died July 20, 2006. Born in Albuquerque on April 28, 1940, Bill was one of two boys born to Will and Opal Craig. He was predeceased by his parents and his father-in-law, Hoy Persinger. Bill is survived by his wife and soul mate of 44 years, Jane, and by his three beloved children, Steven of the home, Anne and husband, Joey Ivey of Fayetteville, N.C., and Matt and wife, Kristy and their twin boys, Jacob and Ryan of Norman. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry of Blue Springs, Mo.; E.C. Crosswhite, his lifelong buddy of Tuttle; and Jane's large family, who loved Bill as one of their own. Bill was raised in El Reno and put himself through Central State University in Edmond by earning a full football scholarship. He served his country in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Bill's career was varied. He worked for International Harvester, owned an oil field service company and ran a service station and cafe, but career and work were never Bill's central focus. He spent his time learning about the people who were fortunate enough to cross his path. He never met a stranger. Before credit cards were used to buy gas, Bill could learn the life history of the attendant in the time it took to fill the tank and pay. Bill always showed up at family functions, and he never failed to bring a camera, much to the chagrin of the teenager at the time. He had a movie camera for family functions before such devices were called "video" cameras. He played the movies on a reel-to-reel projector for everyone who would watch. Bill welcomed all new technology, especially computers that allowed him to communicate and send pictures of his adventures to all his family. Bill traveled extensively, often with camping gear and sans a plan. He was ever ready for an adventure and he could find a Dairy Queen in even the most remote of locations. He was the salt of the earth, a free spirit and a good man. Bill loved trees and planted trees in every place he lived. When diagnosed with cancer, Bill comforted his family by saying that he would not have changed a thing about his life. Bill died as he lived, in the arms of his Lord. Jane was at his side to the end, and will miss him the most. A memorial service and celebration of Bill's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, at Bradley Baptist Church in Bradley, Okla. Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity. |
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