Walter Crawford, age 93, passed away peacefully on 11/8/22 after battling cancer for two years. He is survived by his wife of 69 years-Lois, daughters- Suzanne (Ed) Wassil and Sandra (Mike) Hagadone, son-Douglas (Jill) Crawford, 7 grandchildren, and 8 great- grandchildren.
Walt was born in 1929 in Langdon, North Dakota to Newell and Irene Crawford and was one of five children. In the 40s his family moved to Nooksack, Washington, where he played basketball and graduated high school.
Walt entered the U.S. Army in 1951 as a Radio Operator and serving as a Sergeant in the Korean War where he received the Korean Service medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Metal.
In 1953 Walt married Lois McDonald at the Auburn First United Methodist Church where they remained life-long members. Walt selflessly worked countless hours at the Church, serving Monday Night Dinners, singing in the choir, fixing all things broken, and gardening alongside Lois. He loved working in his garage shop where he spent hours on beautiful woodworking projects, fixing cars, bikes, and all things in between. He passed these skills on to his children and grandchildren. His fix-it legacy lives on.
Walt was employed by Boeing for 33 years working as a machinist and completing his career at the Auburn plant, retiring as a NC Programmer. He was a wonderful family man and while working swing-shift, many evenings Lois would drive their 3 children to take dinner to Walt so he could visit with them and hear about their day at school. Walt set a wonderful example of responsibility, a strong work ethic, and kindness for his children, who were extremely proud of him.
Walt’slifewasnotallworkandservice, there were adventures as well when he and Lois started their world-wide travels in the late 70s while celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. From that point on their world opened as they enjoyed travelling world-wide.
Walt’s children thank the care and support that he and Lois have received Assisted-Living Homes in Richland, Washington and the Hospice Services provided through the Tri-City Chaplaincy.
The family welcomes all to celebrate Walt’s life on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 1:00 pm at the Auburn First United Methodist Church located at 100 N Street SE in Auburn, WA 98002.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in memory of Walter Crawford to:
Auburn First United Methodist Church (www. auburnfirstumc.org), or Tri-City Chaplaincy (Hospice) in Richland, WA (www.chaplaincyhealthcare.org), or Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
