Services
Obituary
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1937
2017
My handsome and loving hubby, Papa Bill, as many of us called him, was welcomed by our Lord into His presence on August 24, 2017. Bill was born in Flint, MI., and in mid 50's his parents brought the family to California. He attended KCHS (BHS) but when moved to Oregon Bill decided to join the Navy..so through tears his mother signed for him - he was 17. Bill went up the ranks quickly and became one of the youngest SCPO in the Navy - his C.O. made him grow a mustache to give him a look of authority Well, to hear the many awesome and funny Navy stories there is a memorial service!! He served 21 years but retired after his Vietnam tour. Bill went to work right away and continued up until his first cancer dx in 2013. He worked for his friend, L.B. Thomas, at Electric Motor Works for several years and then became involved with Mike Miller at Calico Weapons and Jim Bentley at Knoxx Industries. Bill was famous for bringing others' ideas into reality by creating amazing prototypes. He holds patents for several after-market weaponry parts. Aside from all this, Bill loved being at church - singing, joking, loving, encouraging and serving however he could.
Bill's parents, Marion Voorhies and Richard W. Crawford, are both deceased as is a brother, Richard Crawford and a sister, Alice Vance.. the surviving siblings are Rosalie Vorhees (Bak), Ann Housden (Isabella) and Thomas Crawford (New Mexico).
Bill is survived by his wife, Judi,. son, Donnie McGowan (daughter Amanda Rose); Mark Crawford (daughter Kaitlyn); Patrick Crawford (Mari) their children, Chase (Madelaine), Dominic, Harrison , Hannah and Madeline; Danny Crawford (daughters, Taylor Rave and Paige); daughter, Dawn Crawford Scanlan (Eric) and children, Monique , Kylee, Zachary and Brendon. Greatgrands, Ryder, Jack and Andrew.
Other special family members include Kameron Wright, Tammy Burke McGowan, Quang Hamon and Lynee Perry Wilder.
A thank you never seems sufficient but to all at Central and Sister Churches of Christ, CBCC, SJH ICU, and Hoffman Hospice- you are awesome!!
A memorial service is planned on September 9, 2017 (Bill's 80th birthday) at Central Church of Christ, 425 South H Street, Bakersfield, CA at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Central C.O.C.. or to your favorite charity.
You are so loved Papa Bill, now and forever!! I'm sure looking forward to a hug!!
Arrangements under the direction of Mish Funeral Home, Bakersfield, CA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Mish Funeral Home Oildale.
1 Entry
September 2, 2017
Arlene Murrell
Judi and family I am so sorry for your loss. I did not know he had been fighting cancer since 2013. I thank him for his military service. Arlene Speegle Murrell
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