William “Bill” Edward Crawford Jr., 91, of Carterville and formerly of Marion and Herrin, passed away Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at his daughter’s home.
Private family services will be held.
Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church of Carterville or the Carmi Baptist Children’s Home.
He was born November 11, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Edna (Duff) and William E. Crawford Sr. He married LaWanda Baldridge on June 10, 1960, at Third Baptist Church in St. Louis.
Bill is survived by his children, Steve (Karen) Crawford of St. Louis, Missouri, Becky (Cody) Ashton of Carterville, and David (Sue) Crawford of York, Nebraska; grandchildren: Brittany (Jarrett) Fitch of Carterville, Dr. Kelsea Ashton of Baltimore, Maryland, Nathan Crawford and Philip Crawford, both of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Nikki Bermudez of Phoenix, Arizona; great-granddaughter, Lexi Bermudez of Phoenix, Arizona; and special friend, Shirley Calhoun.
He was preceded in death by his wife, LaWanda Crawford; his parents, Edna and William Crawford Sr.; sons, William Crawford III and Doug Crawford; and brother, Robert Crawford.
Bill honorably served our country in the U.S. Naval Reserves.
Bill has lived in the St. Louis area and in Marion, Carterville, and Herrin.
His Christian faith was an important part of Bill’s adult life. He was active at Third Baptist Church and Concord Baptist Church, both in St. Louis; First Baptist Church of Marion; and First Baptist Church of Carterville.
Bill loved music, and he shared his deep bass voice with solos and choirs at church, and most recently with the J.O.Y. Singers (the S.I. Senior Choir Group). After working as a teenager at his father’s service station in St. Louis County, Missouri, Bill worked in auto parts sales for all of his professional life.
His favorite hobbies included birdwatching and collecting pens.
Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville is in charge of arrangements.
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