Billy Monroe Craig

© Cheyenne Star

22 Jan 2009

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Funeral services for Bill Craig, 84, of Cordell, Oklahoma were held Monday, January 19, 2009, at the First Baptist Church at Cordell with Marvin Kehl and R.B. Mathis officiating. Burial followed at the Lawnview Cemetery at Cordell, under the direction of Loftiss-Lee Funeral Home at Cordell.

Billy Monroe Craig was born December 4, 1924 to Madison Monroe Craig and Effie Mae Piercey Craig.

He was the sixth of eight children. He passed away Thursday, January 15, 2009 in his home in Cordell at the age of 84 years, 1 month and 11 days.

Bill grew up in Dill City, Oklahoma and graduated from Dill City High School in 1943. After graduation he attended Altus Junior College.

Bill served in the Army during World War II with the Company B 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Riflemen's Award and the Army Occupation Medal. He also served our country in Japan. He was discharged from the Army in June, 1947.

Bill married Zoe Marie Dickerson on November 22, 1947 and said that was the best day of his life. Their children are; the twins, Joe Dan and Zoe Ann; Billie Jan; and Tim Alan.

Bill farmed for a number of years and served as the Manager of the Farmers Coop in Cordell.

He accepted Christ as his Savior as a young man and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Cordell.

Bill was an expert gardener and could grow anything to perfection. He delighted in giving the bounty away to friends and family.

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Zoe of the home; two sons, Joe Craig of Cedar Lake, Oklahoma; and Tim Craig and his wife Melanie of Cedar Lake, Oklahoma; two daughters, Zoe Ann Barker and her husband Gale of Durham, Oklahoma; and Jan Teal and her husband Daryl of Mountain View, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Troy and Lon Craig of Plano, Texas; Kori Anne and Boyd Gilkey of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Alysa and Chris Monks of Edmond, Oklahoma; Julie and Jesse Grieb of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Susan Craig of Bristow, Oklahoma; David Craig of Bristow, Oklahoma; and Maegan Elizabeth Teal of Mountain View; fourteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Lois Rachel Green of Cordell, Oklahoma; and Betty Maude Adams of Gotebo, Oklahoma; one brother, Floyd Wayne Craig of Cordell, Oklahoma; as well as numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mary Maew Mansell; Helen Maurine Jones; and two brothers, Jesse James Craig and Price William Craig.