May 3rd, 1927 – February 17th, 2013
‘Bill’ was born at the height of the ‘Jazz Age’ in 1927 Chicago, Illinois to Helen (nee Woolwine) and James Crawford. At the tender age of four Bill’s moth er pas s ed away an d f or th e re s t of h is formative years he was raised in the loving care of his Uncle Frank and the Woolwine family.
After he completed his secondary education like many men of his era he joined up and proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1949. Having seen the Pacific he couldn’t stay away long. Bill married Rosalie Colgan in 1953 and left chilly Chicago for the warmer climes of Long beach, Calif. where they started a family and Bill worked at the Los Angeles Harbor as a longtime member of the Longshoreman’s and Warehouseman’s Union at one of the largest ports in the world.
Bill had a zest for life and a wide range of interests, enjoying anything theatrical or musical, was an avid reader and loved a good baseball game. He possessed a keen intellect and a humorous wit. Bill moved to Santa Barbara in 1984 enjoying semi retirement to the fullest, jumping into everything our fair city has to offer, spending time with his grandson, swimming, beach combing and enjoying his love of the ocean.
Bill was a people person and made many friends throughout his life. There was always an open door and good company at his home. Bill will be greatly missed and never forgotten. He was a true measure of a good man. A loving father and grandfather and a loyal friend. Anyone whoever knew him can never forget his warm and generous nature or the twinkle in those handsome Irish blue eyes.
Bill is preceded in death by his beloved eldest daughter Nyna Helen Crawford and is survived by his daughter Susanne Crawford Sanchez, husband Ernesto and grandson Joshua James Hill. Services will be held March 6th 10am at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 21 E. Sola. Graveside service held at Calvary Cemetery, 199 N. Hope Ave. Reception immediately following at the Eagles Lodge, 923 Bath Street.
