Charles William Crafton

Colonel (Ret) Charles William "Bill" Crafton, 87, of Owensboro, passed away on April 23, 2014 at home surrounded by those that meant the most to him, his family. Bill will be greatly missed as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and civil servant for us all. He was born on March 3, 1927 in Owensboro to the late M. J. and Alma Crafton. Bill was a 1944 graduate of Owensboro High School where he lettered in basketball and football. He went on to Western Kentucky State Teacher's College where he earned his degree in 1948 and played basketball under legendary coach E. A. Diddle. During these years, he was also the waterfront director for the Camp Gunther Hogg Boy Scout camp in eastern Daviess County and an instructor at the Boy Scout Aquatic School in Toledo, Ohio. In 1949, he became the first manager of the newly opened Owensboro Sportscenter swimming pool. As a boy, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and as an adult, he remained very active in the Boy Scouts. He served in many volunteer jobs at the district level for which he was awarded the Silver Beaver award, the highest award in scouting. He then went on to the council level, culminating as the President of the Audubon Council for two years in the 1070's. In 1971, he was selected to be the scoutmaster of 36 boys who went to the Boy Scout World Jamboree in Japan.

While at Western, he completed Infantry ROTC and after graduation, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry. He was mobilized in 1951 and deployed to Korea where he was a Heavy Mortar Platoon leader in the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device for valor during active combat with an enemy of the United States. After returning from Korea, he remained in the United States Army Reserve most of which was with the 100th Division. Among other assignments, he served as a company, battalion, and brigade commander and at the time of his retirement in 1981, he was serving in the grade of Colonel as the Assistant Division Commander. In addition to the Bronze Star, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 2 Oak clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Bronze hourglass device, the United nations Service medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Upon his return from Korea, Bill went to work with his father at Crafton's LP Gas Company and was very active in the state LP Gas Association, serving as first Vice President on two occasions. They sold their company to Pargas, Inc. in 1965 and Bill managed the local Pargas operation until 1980 when he was promoted to Vice President and Division Manager which required him to move to Waldorf, Maryland. After his retirement in 1986, he and his wife Ida moved back to Owensboro where they have been since.

Bill has been a member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church since 1937. He was active in the church serving on many committees including chairing the finance committee for many years. He also served on the board of stewards and the board of trustees. He was also a member of the Owensboro Board of Education for six years, serving as chairman of the board for the last two. He resigned from the board when he moved to Maryland with Pargas.

Bill enjoyed his family, professional and college football, college basketball, reading, working jigsaw puzzles, woodworking, and his loving dog, Smidget .

Bill is survived by a loving family; his wife of 63 years, Ida Eans Crafton, two sons; Dr. Terry (Cheryl) Crafton of Logan County, Kentucky and Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Toby (Tina) Crafton of Fayetteville, Georgia, four grandchildren, Jessica (Bill) Nicholson of Indianapolis, Indiana, Meredith Crafton of Seattle, Washington, Todd (Lisa) Crafton of Senoia, Georgia, and Tyler Crafton of Fayetteville, two step-grandchildren,; Erin (Billy) Parr and Paul Thompson, both of Goodyear, Arizona; four great grandchildren; Hanna, Taylor, and Bailey Nicholson of Indianapolis, and William Christopher Crafton of Senoia; and two step- great grandchildren, Jake and jenna Parr of Goodyear.

Funeral services will be at 12 Noon Saturday, April 26, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory with Rev. Darren Brandon officiating. Burial with full military honors provided will be in Rosehill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Friday and after 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 E. 4th Street, Owensboro, KY 42303, The Shawnee Trails Boy Scout Council, or to Hospice of Western KY, 3419 Wathens Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301. Online condolences may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com.