Willie Lee Crawford Sr.

Willie Lee Crawford was born in Wayne County to the late Leslie and Essie Smith Crawford on September 26, 1924. He departed this life October 8, 2018 at Springbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Clayton, NC.

Willie was raised on a farm in Wayne County and loved farming. He always had a garden where he planted many vegetables until his health declined. Willie was educated in Wayne County schools. A World War II veteran, Willie went into the Army at age 18. During his service time, he was stationed at  Ft. Bragg where he then was deployed to England, France, and Belgium. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He returned to Goldsboro where he attended a vocational school and studied Brick Masonry.

He worked many years at Made Right Bakery and then worked for Cherry Hospital where he retired as a Health Care Tech.

He received an award of the Long Leaf Pine which is awarded to recipients who made significant contributions to the state and their communities through exemplary service.

Willie was a long standing member of Barnes Chapel Church which he joined at an early age. He remained an active member and served as a Trustee and Deacon until his death.

Willie met and married Walletta Ward Crawford in 1950. They were married for 67 years until her death in May of 2018. God blessed them with two children, Willie, Jr. (Pat) of Garner, NC and Linda Faye (Ron) of Knightdale.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife, parents, four brothers (Nathaniel, Leslie, James, and David Lee), two sisters (Bertha Mae and Marie). He leaves to cherish his memories two sisters Wilma Langston (Florida) and Shirley Bell (New York). Two step sisters Susan Watson of Washington, D.C. and Linda Nixson of California. He has four grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. A devoted nephew Claude Artis who lived with him until his death and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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