William Bladon Craig

Craig, William Bladon (Bill) age 96, of Minneapolis and Naples FL, passed away peacefully, Monday, June 30. Bill was born August 19, 1917, in Janesville, WI, to Hugh M. Craig and Grace Bladon Craig. Bill graduated from now defunct West High, Minneapolis prior to attending the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He served in the Army Air Corps Air Transport Command from 1943 to 1946 after marrying his college sweetheart, Norma Bussart of St. Cloud. Norma passed away in 1998, after a 17-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. After a 45-year career, Bill retired in 1987 from the Automobile Club of Minneapolis as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, the club grew from 6,500 members to 125,000. Bill received national recognition for his innovative addition of more than 50 motoring and travel services. Bill earned a Certificate of Commendation from the Governor of Minnesota for his contributions to the safety of drivers and pedestrians in the state. To the same end, long after his retirement, he continued to be a strong advocate and voice in the state legislature regarding a variety of motorist issues. Bill received the WCCO Good Neighbor Award, was an active member of both the Rotary Club of Minneapolis and the Ham & Eggs Club. Bill was loved for his warmth, generosity, endearing humor, relentless zest for living and a wonderful passion for adventure. To quote Bill, "You don't grow old until you lose your curiosity." Survived by his daughters, Mary Craig of Chicago, IL, Martha Craig Sturges (Jeffrey) of Fort Wayne, IN, son, Robert Craig of Denver, CO. He leaves 3 grandchildren: Dan Sturges (Catherine), Laura Sturges Cusenbary (Brad) both of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Blake Craig of Denver, CO; 2 great grandchildren, Jeffrey and Julia Sturges; as well as a nephew, Mahlon Schneider (Karen) of Austin, MN and a niece, Melinda S. Roehl (Robert) of Homosassa, FL. Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Schneider and brother-in-law, Frank Schneider, both of Minneapolis. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 9 from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street. A graveside service will follow at 12:15 pm at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave. S, Minneapolis. Memorials preferred to the American Alzheimer's Assoc. or Wounded Warrior Project. www.washburn-mcreavy.com

Tributes

William Bladon Craig

June 30, 2014

Tributes

William Bladon Craig

June 30, 2014

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