Bill Craddock

Billy (Bill) Don Craddock passed away on September 27, 2023. Bill was born to Frank and Alberta Craddock on June 28, 1933 in Benton, Illinois. The family moved to Kalamazoo when Bill was young and he graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1952.

Bill served during the Korean War from 1953-57 at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, AZ, as a jet mechanic. He spent 2 years in mechanic school there and worked onF86, F84, and T33 jets.

Bill met his wife, Margarite (Marge) Sutton while stationed in Arizona. They were married August 21, 1955 and they lived in a rented house in Mesa, AZ. After Bill’s service, Bill and Marge moved back to Kalamazoo to be near Bill’s family.

Bill and Marge were excited to welcome their daughter Susan and son Doug into their lives. They then decided to raise their children in Vicksburg and moved out near Barton Lake. In more recent years, they moved into the Village of Vicksburg to make life more convenient.

Bill worked for Consumers Energy in meter services and retired in 1992. Bill and Marge spent many years after retirement traveling out west to their favorite places in Colorado, Arizon, Nevada and New Mexico. After Marge passed away, Bill began a new interest of going to The Gym in Vicksburg. As his eyesight failed, his buddy Walt would pick him up each morning and they would go to the Gym together.

Bill had a sunny outlook on life and was a very social guy. He appreciated and enjoyed all his friends at the Gym in the mornings, coffee at Yogi’s in the afternoon, and at the VFW on Sprinkle Road for Wednesday night burgers. Bill’s favorite hobby was the casino, where his brother Larry often took him to play slots and Mississippi stud poker. He especially loved his time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Christmas Eve was always at his house so he could enjoy his family and a beverage or two.

Bill was known for his zest for life and his funny sayings, most of which are no longer Politically Correct.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Marge and his mother and father. He is survived by his brother Larry Craddock, sister Katherine (Garth) Snow, children Susan (Tim) Frisbie and Doug (Joanne) Craddock, grandchildren Chance Frisbie, Keegan (Maddison) Frisbie, and Mitchel (Kristen) Craddock, and great-grandchildren Sadie and Beau Craddock.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday October 3^rd from 10:30-11:30 am followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am at the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 South Main, Vicksburg. Bill will be buried with military honors at 1:30 pm at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

While at www.amsfuneralhome.com please take time to sign Bill’s guestbook and/or share a memory with his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Generous Hands in Vicksburg.

The Craddock family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 409 South Main Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.