WILLIAM WESLEY CRAIG

CRAIG, JENREE, TANSY, ALLEN, TATMAN

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 7/7/2002 at 20:14:20

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, September 7, l922

WILLIAM WESLEY CRAIG was born March ll, l852, at Riverside, Iowa, in Washington County, and here were spent the first twenty years of his life. He came to Garden Grove in l872 and throughout the intervening fifty years, had been a continual resident of Decatur County. He was united in marriage to MISS ELIZA CATHERINE JENREE at Leon, April 3, l873, and they settled at Leon in l876. Four children came to bless this union, all of them living; SARAH LILLIAN, NELLIE ESTELLA, ROBERT WILLIAM and LEWIS PEARL and one grandchild.

"Uncle BILLY" as he was affectionately known by hundreds of people, followed the trade of black smith. His business relationships were conducted upon the basis of the Golden Rule, and his genial optimistic spirit endeared him to a multitude of people.

MR. CRAIG was a staunch, practical Christian. Very early in life, he professed Jesus Christ as his Lord, united with the Methodist Church, and to his last day lived the true Christian experience. He was very active in the local church, serving more years than anyone remembers as steward on the official board. His counsel was sought on all important measures, he was a friend of the preacher, and an upbuilder in the church program.

Deceased was a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias fraternal orders. For his invaluable services in the promotion of Odd Fellowship, he was awarded honors by that order that come to few men.
MR. CRAIG had been a member of the Leon School Board and a faithful public servant in many other capacities.

MRS. CRAIG preceded him in death November l6, l9l6, and from that sad day, "Uncle BILLY'S" heart had been on the other side of the river. In the last few months he had often expressed his desire to pass to the better world and the end found him calm, brave, ready. He passed away at the home on Friday evening, September l, at the age of 70 years, 5 months and 20 days.

Besides the children and the great number of friends, there are left to mourn his passing, three sisters and one brother: MRS. RACHEL TANSY, Pawnee, Okla.; MRS. EVELYN ALLEN, Kalona, Iowa; MRS. CAROLINE TATMAN, Garden Grove and MR. DEWITT CRAIG, Riverside, Iowa.

The funeral services were held from the Leon Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon, September 5, conducted by the Pastor. The body was laid away to rest beside the wife in the Leon Cemetery, the burial services being conducted by the Odd Fellows.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
July 7, 2002