Giles Williams "Cris" Crisler Jr.

Crisler, Sr. and Mary Connell Crisler. Cris attended Clinton High School and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with an Industrial Engineering degree. His professional career started with Guy Green Lighting & Building Supply in Memphis, TN, then on to become Vice President of Humphrey Lumber in Montgomery, AL. He thrived in the lumber business and became a wood connoisseur from all over the world providing the best selections to companies such as Gibson, Fender, Zildjian, and Peavy. He has stayed friends with most of these customers for years and would regularly check on them and their families.

Cris was an avid athlete and sportsman. He was a runner, triathlete, swimmer, bow hunter, and fisherman. There was no sport he didn't enjoy participating in or watching. He was known to show up for races just to fellowship and cheer the participants on. It was his way to make people feel included and cared for and he was passionate about getting people involved in sports and about helping the along the way. Every time he raced, hunted or fished he was all in. He never met a stranger and he was a good friend that you could always count on. Caring, compassionate and inclusive, Cris was a gatherer and connector of people and it was one of his biggest joys.

Cris was enthusiastic about collecting vintage cars and trucks as well as Hot Wheels and motorcycles and had friends all over the country that he stayed in close contact with regularly. He loved the research and searching that it took to find just the right thing. He loved Crusin' on the Coast and attended car shows all over the country, making hundreds of friends along the way.

Cris loved music, lyrics and going to concerts. Metallica to Paul McCartney, Burno Mars to Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood to Aerosmith. He loved it all, but he would admit the louder the better.

Cris was a storyteller and loved talking to anyone to learn about them. He was easy to get to know and easier to keep as a forever friend. Cris' Big Fish stories were always interesting, a little unbelievable, but totally true and he usually had collateral to share to back it up. There's nothing better than a Cris Crisler story.

Cris' last day on this earth was doing what he loved. He stepped straight out of the water from the swim into the hand of God. He will be sorely missed. There will never be another one like him.

Cris is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Crisler, nephew and niece, Evan and Ava Hildenbrand, first cousins Janet Shanks Van Suntam, Wayne and David Connell, Susan Haltom, and Bob Fugate and many other second and third cousins. Cris was preceded in death by his parents Giles and Mary Crisler, and his sister Marion Crisler Hildenbrand. He loved his family and was a loving son and brother.

A visitation for Giles will be held Friday, September 24, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209. A visitation will occur Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 11:30 AM, 6011 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, Mississippi 39209.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lakewoodfuneraljackson.com for the Crisler family.