Bill Edwin Craig

Bill Edwin Craig, age 93 of Stover, passed away Wednesday morning, January 17, 2018 at his home.

He was born August 13, 1924, in Little Rock Arkansas, a son of George B. and Adah Belle Dory Craig.  On June 1, 1952, in Walker, Missouri Bill was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Brown and to this union four children, Deborah Ellen, Cassia Linda, Bruce Wayne and Wesley Brook were born.  Mary Ellen survives at their home.

Bill was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving his country in the South Pacific during World War II, receiving his honorable discharge in January of 1946 with the rank of Corporal. He also served his country in the Korean War with the First Calvary, 8th Combat Engineers, United States Army, operating heavy equipment.  He achieved the rank of Sergeant before receiving his honorable discharge in June of 1952.   From 1955 - 1960 he served in the US Army Reserves.

Following his discharge from the Army, Bill was a heavy equipment operator in Lebanon, as well as Vernon and Cedar Counties; all located in Missouri.

In 1957, Bill and Mary Ellen moved their family to Morgan County, Missouri.  From 1959-1965 he managed the Frazier-Roberts Ranch in Laurie.  He later worked as a carpenter with Ray Tambke, building throughout the Versailles and Stover areas.  He retired from the Dixon-Ticonderoga (formerly Wallace) Pencil Factory in Versailles.  Following his retirement he stayed busy working at the NuStyle Quilting Factory in Stover for next few years.

He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed camping and hunting.  He and Mary Ellen looked forward to their motorcycle excursions, where they could explore the countryside.  Bill was a gifted woodworker and a man who was talented in many areas of construction.

He was a member of the VFW Post 5178 in Gravois Mills and attended the Stover United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife of 65 years, he is survived by three children, Cassia Linda Craig of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Bruce Wayne Craig of Stover and Wesley Brook Craig of Tipton; one brother, Larry E. Craig and wife Frances of Kansas City, Missouri; five grandchildren, Justin Brewer,  Jessica Brewer, Sacha Simpson Shafersman and husband Mike, Ian Simpson and wife Ashley and Brandi Craig Goldsmith and husband Matt; ten great grandchildren, Megan Rusch, Hunter and Holland Schafersman, Azrael and Adeline Simpson, Erik, Victor and Halibel Osburn, Izaiah Littlejohn and Sophia Goldsmith, along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Deborah Ellen Brewer, son-in-law, John Brewer and six siblings, Irene Coontz, George “Jupe” Craig, Dory D. Craig, Betty Beeman, Roger L. Craig and Richard “Dick” Craig.

A Celebration of Bill’s life will be Saturday, January 27, at 2:00 p.m. at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover with Darren Locke  officiating.  A reception will immediately follow the service until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Inurnment, with military honors, will be at a later date at Fort Scott National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hospice Compassus, 5780 Osage Beach Parkway, Suite 230, Osage Beach, MO 65065.

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