Billy Lee Crawford

Billy “Bill” Lee Crawford, 94 of Carlinville, passed away Friday morning, Oct. 20, 2023, in Springfield.

Bill was born on May 6, 1929 in Nilwood, a son of Ernest and Ella Rae Bettis Crawford.

Bill married Patricia L. Totsch on Dec. 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 retiring.

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.

He is survived by a daughter, Cynthia McFarland (Dennis); a son Stephen Crawford (Carol); granddaughters, Stephanie Crawford, Katherine McFarland; great grandson, Malachi McFarland; several nieces and nephews and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Patricia Lou Crawford; sisters, Josephine “Jo” Remling and Marge Tremaine.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at the Memorial Christian Church, Carlinville. Funeral services followed on Tuesday, Oct. 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.

Visit davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory.

Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.