Last updated on March 11, 2022
Billy Ray Crawford was born on October 6th, 1942, in Rockwall, Texas, to the parentage of Hamilton Pettus and Stella Gertrude (King) Crawford. A twin, Bill and his brother Bobby Jack, were 5th in a family of 8 children. The family were sharecroppers that lived in the Fate area, picking cotton and raising farm animals. After reaching adulthood, Bill married Linda Kay Judge on January 1,1967 in Rockwall. To this marriage, three sons were born. Bill worked at Resistol Hat factory in Garland for 40 years until his retirement in 2001.
For the last 8 years, Bill was blessed to live with his older sister Teen and his wife, whom he affectionately called Dynamite, telling many stories about their life growing up on a farm, having to quit school at an early age, and how many things they had experienced changing throughout their lifetimes. Bill enjoyed being with his family, especially spending time around his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his sons: Billy Ray Crawford Jr., Robert and wife Stacy Crawford; Chris and wife Mindy Crawford; 7 grandchildren: Haley, Melinda, Cody, Robert, Megan, Samantha and Sydney; brothers: Joe Pat and Kenneth Leo Crawford. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Linda Kay; sisters: Ruby Jewel Foster, Ruth Lorene Russell; brothers: Gaylon Wayne, George Don, Bobby Jack, and Carlos Todd Crawford.
A funeral service is to be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 beginning at 10:00 am in Reflections Chapel at Rest Haven Funeral Home – Rockwall location, with Pastor Brad Howard officiating. A gathering of friends and loved ones will take place the evening before, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Rest Haven Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral service in Rest Haven Memorial Park.
