Obituary of Bill Crawford

Billy "Bill" Lee Crawford, 94 of Carlinville, IL passed away Friday morning, October 20, 2023, in Springfield, IL. Bill was born on May 6, 1929 in Nilwood, IL, a son of Ernest and Ella Rae Bettis Crawford. Bill married Patricia L. Totsch on December 3, 1950, at Memorial Christian, Carlinville. Bill served in the US Army as a military policeman during the Korean War stationed in Tokyo, Japan. Upon his return home, he enrolled and graduated from Barber College in 1957. He worked as a barber in the community for 30 years. His lifelong dream was to work as a photographer. His children remember watching the magic of him processing film into prints in their kitchen on West 2nd South Street. Bill, with his wife Pat, opened a photography studio. They ran the business for 20 years before finally retiring, capturing the portrait of many members of Carlinville at least once in their lives. Bill was an active member of Memorial Christian Church. He was a charter member of the Carlinville Rifle Club, a certified and active HAM operator, and a member of the NRA. Bill was loved by all those that knew him and will be much bereaved. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Patricia Lou Crawford, sisters; Josephine "Jo" Remling, and Marge Tremaine. He is survived by a daughter, Cynthia McFarland (Dennis) and a son Stephen Crawford (Carol). Also surviving are two granddaughters, Stephanie Crawford, Katherine McFarland, one great grandson, Malachi McFarland, and several nieces and nephews and friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 9:00 to 10:30 am at the Memorial Christian Church, Carlinville, IL. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 am, Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the church with Rev. Gary Farthing. Burial will be in Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Carlinville. Memorials may be made to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. Please visit www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.