William James Crary, 79, of the 500 block of Boone’s Bridge Road, departed this life on May 17, 2009, with family at the Hospice Facility in Greenville, NC.
Mr. Crary was born on November 21, 1929, in Preston CT, to the late Lynwood and Doris Crary. He was married to Elizabeth H. Crary, who preceded him in death in 2005.
William was the youngest of four siblings, all of whom preceded him in death. A brother, Charles Crary of Preston, CT; and two sisters, Janice Bausch of Preston, CT, and Margery Liepold of Pawcatuck, CT.
He was educated in the Preston Grade Schools and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1947. He was employed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation as an inspector from 1948 to 1979. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953 in the 45th Division, Company D, 120th Combat Engineers. He was a Staff Sgt. in Korea and Japan, and late served in the Army National Guard, 1111, Trans. Bn., New London, CT. He received an Honorable Discharge from both.
While living in Connecticut, he was a mason at The Mount Vernon Lodge in Versailles, CT; a volunteer fireman in North Stonington, CT; and participated in many other organizations. Upon moving to the Virginia/North Carolina area in 1982, he restored two old farmhouses, one of which he lived in until his death.
Mr. Crary is survived by his son, Thomas Crary of Middleton, CT; his daughter, Janice Crary of Groton, CT; his granddaughter, Sage Crary, his step daughter, Joy Thorpe of Norfolk, VA; his step grandchildren, Kyle Thorpe and Holly Thorpe; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
A graveside celebration of life service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie. After the services, friends and family are invited to Barnes United Methodist Church, Newsom, VA, for a reception.
In lieu of flowers, William had requested that donations be made to a charity of one’s choice, University Health Systems Hospice, P.O. Box 272, Ahoskie, NC, 27910, or to Barnes United Methodist Church, Newsoms, VA, 23874.