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William S. Crawford © Stephens-Key Funeral and Cremation Care Submitted by: Sharon
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William S. Crawford
October 21, 1929 - February 26, 2021
rd Obituary William Sylbia "Bill" Crawford of Pryor, Oklahoma, passed from this earth peacefully on February 26, 2021, surrounded by his family at the age of 91.
Bill was born on October 21, 1929, at home in the Pryor area to Carl and Ellen Crawford. Bill grew up in the Adair area and was the oldest of eleven children.
Bill graduated from Adair High School. It was there he met the love of his life, Maxine Day. Their relationship began when he finally had the nerve to ask if he could take her home from church. Bill and Maxine married on November 28, 1951, and had celebrated 69 years of marriage.
Bill was very proud to serve his country as a Marine during the Korean War where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. While on a maneuver in the Pacific Ocean he was severely injured during training to make beach landings. He was crushed between the ship and landing craft when the rope ladder he was climbing broke away from the ship. A military medical ship was dispatched to transport him back to Camp Pendleton where he spent three months recovering in the Marine Hospital. Bill and Maxine were married during his time at Camp Pendleton and daughter Linda was born at the military base in Ocean Side, California. Upon discharge from the Marines, Bill and Maxine returned to the Pryor area where their two other children, Glenda and William, were born.
In 1953, Bill started his 37-year career with GRDA at the Steam Plant. He then became the first GRDA employee to work on the construction of Kerr Dam. He retired from GRDA in 1990 as a Hydro Superintendent. It was also during this time that he and Maxine acquired the "Hill Farm" near Rose, Oklahoma, where they raised cattle, hiked many miles, cut firewood, hunted deer, and enjoyed many family outings. The Hill Farm was Bill's pride and joy, where he trained his many grandchildren to hike, drive, and enjoy the outdoors.
Bill loved spending time with his large family. He loved to hunt, travel to the mountains, camp, hike, and see the beautiful fall colors of New England. He traveled from coast to coast and loved sharing his stories and photos with everyone.
Bill was a hard worker, fighter, and the strongest man to all who knew and loved him. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone, never complained, and was always encouraging. His witty sense of humor, even when he was at his sickest, kept us smiling.
Bill is survived by wife Maxine of Pryor and their three children: Linda (Steve) Arnold of Pryor, Glenda (Mike) Wright of Tulsa, and William (Diane) of Pryor, sisters Bessie (Wayne) Shultz of Adair, Jessie (John) Garner of Pleasanton, Texas, Millie (Butch) Testerman of Amarillo, Texas, and Cora Carlene Crawford of Amarillo, Texas. He is also survived by brothers Herschell (Jeanette) Crawford of Oktahah, and Marvin Joe (Patsy) Crawford of Pryor.
He was affectionately known as Papa to his grandchildren, Chris (Julie) Arnold, Brandon (Christy) Arnold, Hannah (Paul) Trytsman, Hillary Wright, Haley (Ben) Mathis, and Amber Hurt; his great-grandchildren, Chelby and Katlyn Arnold, Josh and Jared (Casey) Arnold, Megan, Molly and Mariah Hurt, and another on the way that he learned of the week before his passing;step great grandchildren, Wade Renfroe, Ty and Lane Trimble and great-great-grandchild Wayllen. In addition, there are many nieces and nephews who will miss his smiles, hugs and stories.
Bill will be welcomed into God's Glory by grandson Dustin Crawford, nephews Merrill Allen and Ronnie Lee Garner, niece Marilyn Runyon, brothers Arville Crawford and Stanley Crawford, and sisters Ida Graves and Mary Jane Walker.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2021 at the Stephens-Key Chapel in Pryor.
The celebration of life will be on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Freewill Baptist Church, 107 S Ora Street, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361. Interment will follow at the Graham Memorial Cemetery in Pryor. It is requested that CDC Covid-19 recommendations be followed by those in attendance. Arrangements are under the care of Stephens-Key Funeral and Cremation Care of Pryor.
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