William Craig

William Albert "Bill" Craig, 70, of Gordonville died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 12, 1941, in Memphis, Tenn., to the late James Leon and Lilly Craig. He and Charlotte Boyce of Sikeston, Mo., were married Aug. 24, 1969.

He owned Craig Appraisal Services of Cape Girardeau.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Following his military service he moved back to Memphis. He graduated from Memphis State University in January 1971 and lived in Chattanooga, Tenn., from 1971 to 1972. Bill and Charlotte then moved to Cape Girardeau. He first worked at Colonial Federal Bank, and later established Craig Appraisal Services.

Bill never met a stranger and was a good friend to many in the community. He loved telling a good joke and collected trivia. He relished sharing these hobbies with his friends! An avid cook, Bill donated his time and skills to many organizations and served as the cook for the annual Woody Rushin Foundation Golf Tournament, and for many years the Rotary Club's Camp Enterprise, as well as the annual Rotary Club picnic.

He belonged to Cape West Rotary Club many years and served a term as president. He also loved to cook Christmas dinner for the Cape Girardeau County Mapping and Appraising and Assessor's Office and Montgomery Bank employees.

As a Boy Scout leader, his proudest accomplishment was acquiring the Boy Scout Wood Badge. He was a Master Tree Farmer, and served on the Cape Girardeau County Road Advisory Committee. Bill was a charter board member of the Gordonville Volunteer Fire Department, serving as treasurer until his death.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Mike (Sheila) Craig of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., George Craig of St. Louis; four grandchildren, Andrew, Halie, Meiranda and Brandyn; and a sister, Juanita of Memphis.

Also cousins, Joe Craig, Sue Hawkins and Betty Jean Molder, all of Millington, Tenn., Joseph Albert Craig, Bobby Craig and Becky Herndon of Memphis; a brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Marilyn Boyce of Sikeston; a brother-in-law, Fred Steward of Sikeston; a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Lawrence Johsens of Santa Cruz, Calif.; many nieces and nephews, being especially close with Rebecca Steward-Purves, and Mary and Stu Barragan. He also leaves four fur children, one being his beloved Maggie.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister-in-law, Linda Boyce Steward.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to service time Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the chapel, with Gerald Jones officiating. Friends are invited to speak at the service if they wish. Full military honors by the Missouri Honors Team will be held at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy be made with memorial contributions to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, 2536 Boutin Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.