C&S/DL Capt. William S. Craddock

~ IN MEMORY ~

WWII veteran, C&S/DL Capt. William S. Craddock

October 24, 1918 - February 27, 2013

Notification of the passing of decorated WWII veteran and C&S/DL pilot Captain William Sherman Craddock, age 94. Captain Craddock hired on with Chicago & Southern 09-05-1945. He was preceded in death in 1985 by his wife of 51 years, Jeanne Walker. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Friday, March 1 in the Salmon Room at Second Presbyterian Church. After a private burial at Memorial Park Cemetery a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2 at Second Presbyterian Church Chapel, 4055 Poplar Ave., Memphis TN.

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral home website at http://www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com/

Perhaps the best contact for the family would be

c/o son William S. Craddock Jr.,

1749 Harbert Ave., Memphis, TN 38104-5113 ..... (901) 276-0639

Obituary for William Sherman Craddock

William Sherman Craddock, 94 passed away February 27, 2013. He was born October 24, 1918 in Savannah Georgia to Margaret Sherman and William S. Craddock. After moving to Memphis when he was 5, he attended Madison Heights Grammar School, Bellevue Jr. High and Central High. Upon graduation from Central, he was in the 1940 class at Southwestern, now known as Rhodes College.

He was fascinated with flying and took lessons while still in high school. This led him to join the Air Force in the early years of WWII. He had an outstanding career as a flight leader, squadron and group leader and flew 50 plus missions in B26 fighter bomber aircraft. He served in Europe, N. Africa, and Italy flying Sea Sweep missions, and bombing strategic targets including the 1,000 plane first raid on Rome, then Naples Harbor, Submarine pens at Toulon, France in support of ground troops. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters and the Presidential Unit Citation. After returning to the States, he flew Combat Readiness tests on U.S. Air Force aircraft that were being developed. He held the rank of Lt. Colonel and commanded the 516th TC Gp and trained the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions for the Inchon Drop in Korea.

He was preceded in death in 1985 by his wife of 51 years, Jeanne Walker. He leaves two children, Linda Craddock Work and William S. Craddock, Jr. (Margaret) and five grandchildren, Taylor Work (Shannon), Lawrence Work (Sarah), Maysey Craddock, Margaret McLean (Alec), Louisa Atman (Joe) and 12 great grandchildren, Emily, Natalie, Danielle, Landon, Callie, Duncan, Meriwether, Virginia, Campbell, Jane, Camille, and William. His is survived by his wife of 16 years, Pat Hoelscher Holliday and step children, Craig Holliday (Lisa), Lee Holliday (Alyssa), Tom Holliday (Julie), Julie Holliday Meeks (Gregg), Dr. Paul Holliday (Leesa) and 13 step grandchildren. He also leaves his sister Ladye Margaret Arnold and several nieces and nephews.

He was a man of strong character, morals, integrity, honesty, leadership, vision and faith. All of these attributes served him and this city well. He was a networker and raised support for many institutions such as YMCA, UT Medical Research, Second Presbyterian Church, Christian Psychological Center and others. He served as Chairman of the Air Service Commission, City of Memphis; President of Future Memphis; President of Rotary Club; President of Metro Board, YMCA; Director of Insurers of Memphis; Director of United Way, Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of Board of Trustees, Presbyterian Day School; Chairman Board of Trustees, Christian Psychological Center; Chairman Chancellor’s Round Table, University of Tennessee; and a Member of Board of Trustees and the Red and Black Society, Rhodes College. He was active in Second Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder and former President of the Church Corporation. He was recipient of Business, Community Service Award, 1988 (Rotary) and runner up Senior Citizen of the year, Memphis, 1990. He was Chairman of the Board, The Craddock Companies and former Captain for Delta Airlines.

He was a member of The Memphis Country Club and a former member of the University Club. Always an athlete and aficionado of exercise he was a former City Handball Champion, enjoyed gold, tennis, hunting, fishing, swimming and the beach.

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday, March 1 in the Salmon Room at Second Presbyterian Church. After a private burial at Memorial Park Cemetery a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2 at Second Presbyterian Church Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to The William S. Craddock Foundation UT Health Science Center, Second Presbyterian Church, or the charity of your choice.

Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, "Behind the Stone Wall".

Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com