William “Bill” Crawford, 91, of rural Marseilles, died on April 3, 2015 at Pleasant View in Ottawa, with his wife Helen, of 63 years, at his side. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Duane Kaufman, officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park on a later date. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Bill was born in Ottawa on May 27, 1923, the second child of Ernest and Marie (Slewder) Crawford. He grew up in Rutland Township, in a house built by his great-grandfather Cyrus Shaver, an early settler in the area.
Bill attended the Milliken School, later he graduated from Seneca High School. Growing up on a farm, Bill became interested in tractors, and even bigger machinery from which he established his own excavating business in the early 50’s until the last few years. He was an active member of the Tractor Club and the Caterpillar Club.
He married the former Helen Fennessey of 1621 Post Street, Ottawa on August 19, 1951. They have one daughter, Melissa, who lives in Ireland.
Mr. Crawford was an avid flyer. He assembled a 1940’s Stearman biplane in the family garage. He did stunt flying amusing or terrifying those on the ground. He is fabled to have flown under the Marseilles River Bridge!
William is laid to rest in the GARDEN OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
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