William J.
Craig
- Visitation
- Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 10am – 12pm at GRACE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 Beechwood Ave, Waukesha
- Funeral Service
- Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 12pm at GRACE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 Beechwood Ave, Waukesha
William Jackson Craig was called home to eternal life on April 12, 2021 at his home in Vernon.
William Jackson Craig was born to James and Ethel Craig on September 6, 1947 in Milwaukee. William was baptized into Christ’s family shortly afterward at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8th and Vliet. William attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School where he met his lifelong sweetheart and loving wife, Carol Erler while playing in the band. In 1969 they were married at Atonement Evangelical Lutheran Church, Milwaukee and had three children, Mary (Gary), Paul (Sarah), and David (Amy). William began his career as a lutheran school teacher, teaching math and instructing grade school and high school students at Fox Valley Lutheran High School and Wisconsin Lutheran High School in one of his favorite things, music performance – particularly the trumpet. William continued his professional life in real estate sales and construction, founding both Vernon Builders, Inc. as well as Craig Realty, Inc., where he worked with his whole family diligently assisting hundreds of families with their real estate needs for the rest of his life. William’s real passions in life were his faith in Jesus, which he faithfully instructed his children in, his devoted wife of 51 years, Carol, his kids, and his grandchildren: Hannah (Carl), David (Samantha), Benjamin, Elise (Gideon), Alicia, Elizabeth, William, James, Henry, Greta, Paul, and Ruth, as well as three great-grandchildren Nara, Saige, and Cayden. William was preceded in death by his parents, James and Ethel, and he is also survived by his loving brother and sister James (Marilyn) Craig and Sharon (Keith) Roder, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ron and Diane Affeldt, and his loving nieces and nephews. By Christ’s grace alone, William’s family anxiously awaits their re-unification with him in heaven.
In addition to being a dedicated husband and father, William served his community in numerous ways, including as an elected Village Trustee in Big Bend, and serving as an elected member of the Town Board for the Town of Vernon.
Memorials can be provided to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waukesha, to assist in the spreading of the good news of Christ crucified and risen.
Gary and I were very saddened to hear of Bills passing. He was a good friend. You are all in our thoughts a and prayers!!
Kathy and I are sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a friend that I leaned on often. He was A true gentleman in every sense of the word and will be sorely missed.
Godspeed, Bill…
Bill was a very caring and sharing person. I will miss his friendship and our many conversations together. He showed his generosity in many different ways, but the one I am most familiar with was his service to his community. He wore several hats in the Vernon. As a member of our Town Board, he headed several committees.. It was here I first met Bill when I was appointed to our D.P.W. committee which he headed. I later got to know Bill even better when I became a member of the Town Board and we served together. Bill was always a credit to his family, his community.. He will be dearly missed.
God please accept Bill with open arms into your care.
My sincere condolences to his entire family.
I will always remember Bill from my childhood where on Easter morning he could always be heard playing his trumpet from the balcony. He played so beautifully. Then when i became an adult he helped my buy and sell two houses. A more kind, caring and honest man you would ever meet. RIP Bill an I am sure Jesus and the angels will love to hear your trumpet playing.
Dearest Craig family,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful Husband, Father, and Grandfather with so many people and organizations. Bill exemplified honesty, integrity, and professionalism in his service to the Town of Vernon and he was an incredible man. He will be deeply missed but NEVER forgotten. I will miss his smiling face and I know that God will welcome Bill, and thank him for his demonstration too us as a true disciple of God.
To: The Craig Family,
We are sorry to hear about your lose of Bill. He was one of the finest men, that we have ever been acquainted with. He was always kind, considerate, and a joy to visit with. He was a true professional, in all of his personal and business endeavors. He will be missed, by all of his family members, friends, and all of his acquaintances. Fortunately, God now has gained a true disciple.
We Love You Bill.
I just learned of Bill’s passing and am in shock. As his insurance agent, I always enjoyed talking to him each year about his insurance, of course, but we spent more time talking about God and our country than that, and I will miss that so. He was more than a client, he was a friend. My heart is so heavy right now. Please accept my deepest condolences and prayers for peace and comfort.
I only knew Bill a few years but considered him a friend. We are both real estate appraisers in the Vernon area and he sold a vacant lot my family owned last summer. We talked “shop”/real estate frequently. Most recently the week before he died I had several conversations with him and saw him as recently as this past weekend. I will miss his honesty, good nature, professionalism, work ethic, jokes and conversation, and was a true public service example for all. I have to say i was shocked to hear of his passing after just speaking to him a few days earlier. Hug and tell your loved ones what you are feeling before its too late. Please accept our deepest condolences and sympathy at this time of unexpectedness. Bill routinely worked late into the evening as evidenced by the texts and voicemails I would receive. Rarely were our conversations light, but more often diving into deeper, larger issues that affected all. His work is done here and will be missed.
Our condolences to your family as we also rejoice with you in the Bill’s victory. Special memories I have of Bill include his being my band director for a short time at FVL and later playing trumpet for our wedding in 1976, for which we will always be grateful. I am sure he will be missed by many.