William Frederick Craven

He was born on April 19, 1921 in Defiance, Ohio to parents Harry A. Craven and Ella Louise (Smith) Craven. He had one older brother, Robert (Bob), who preceded him in death.

Bill attended school in Defiance, Ohio and in November 1940, he was hired as a substitute mail carrier at the Defiance Post Office. In 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army. For 3 1/2 years, he served as a member of the 3479th Ordnance M.A.M. Unit and was a graduate of the administration and personnel school of the Ordnance Corps. He was stationed mostly in the India/Burma/China region.

After the war ended, he returned home to continue his work at the Defiance Post Office. During his time there, he served as a mail carrier and worked in all phases of postal clerical work. He also served for a short time with the Postal Inspection Service, returning to his position at the Defiance Post Office in the spring of 1954. He became Foreman of Mail and later appointed the Superintendent of Mail until his retirement from the Postal Service in 1975 after 34 years of service.

As a young man after the war, he enjoyed learning to fly a Piper Cub plane, obtaining his pilot's license June 13, 1947. He and his buddies, John Davis and Gayle Leach purchased an ice boat sailing and racing it on the frozen Maumee RIver in the winter.

Bill met Lucille E. Wendt while he worked at the Post Office and she worked at the Home Savings and Loan. They married on October 24, 1948. They had two daughters, Cynthia and Cathy. They raised their daughters together and enjoyed church, camping, bridge, friends and family. During that time, Bill was very active at his church, St. John's Lutheran, Defiance, Ohio, was a school board member for Ayersville Local School DIstrict, and sang with the Northwesternaires Barbershop Chorus. Lucille passed away in October 1976.

In October 1978, Bill married Doris R. Duerk from Defiance, Ohio. Doris and Bill loved to play tennis and travel in their motor home eventually moving to Florida to make their home there. They were very active in their church in Florida and continued to play tennis and enjoy their friends there. In February, 1989, Doris passed away.

In June 1990, Bill married Bonnie Williamson in Naples, Florida. They, too, enjoyed playing tennis, serving their Church, Peace Lutheran Church in Naples and being with friends and family. Bonnie passed away July 2014.

In October, 2014, Bill moved to Gahanna, Ohio, to be near daughter and son in law, Cynthia and Evan Beane and their family who reside in New Albany, Ohio.

Bill is remembered and cherished by his daughters, Cynthia J. Beane (Evan), New Albany, Ohio, and Cathy J. Flachsbart (James), Oregon City, Oregon. Step children, Billy Duerk (Jan) Defiance, Ohio; Loretta Gerken (Greg) Defiance, Ohio; Larry Duerk (Theresa) Defiance, Ohio; Terry Barille (Gary) Chicago, Illinois; Jeanie Williamson Bonita Springs, Florida and Donna Koenig (Mike) Naples, Florida, and his 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Bill was an active participant in establishing two Lutheran mission congregations in Florida. He held his faith dear to his heart and it showed itself in his witness and kind, gentle spirit. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to New Albany Methodist Church Outreach, 20 Third St., New Albany, Ohio 43054 or Peace Lutheran Church Early Learning Center, 9850 Immokalee Rd., Naples, FL 34120-3907.

A Memorial/Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, October 13 at 3pm with visitation one hour prior to the service at New Albany United Methodist Church, 20 Third St., New Albany, Ohio 43054.