Walter Hurley Craig, Sr.

Walter Hurley Craig, Sr., age 68, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, SC. Mr. Craig was born in Lancaster County, SC on July 25, 1944. He was the son of the late James William Craig, Sr. and Ruby Pauline Drye Craig and was a retiree of the Lancaster and Chester Railway. He joined Pleasant Plain Baptist Church at an early age, and upon graduation from Flat Creek High School in 1962 at age seventeen, joined the United States Navy. He was later selected for a special tour of duty and was stationed for one year in Boston, Massachusetts aboard the U.S.S. Constitution, 'Old Ironsides' where he operated the ship's store. It was at this time in his young life that he began his lifelong interest in history. Mr. Craig enjoyed volunteer work very much and was a volunteer with the Friends of Andrew Jackson State Park for several years and previously served on the boards of the Lancaster County Historical Commission, the Olde English District, and the County Transportation Commission. In addition to his love of history, he enjoyed genealogy, fishing, traveling, spending time with his family and friends, and working in his yard and garden. Mr. Craig's greatest love was for his family and his many friends. He is survived by his wife of over forty-seven years, Mrs. Melody Clyburn Craig, his son Walter H. Craig, Jr. and daughter Tracey Craig. He was the proud grandfather of Mrs. Gleynnda Craig Miller and her husband John of Williamston, SC and Sloane and Caden Taylor of Lancaster. He is also survived by his three brothers and four sisters, James William 'Billy' Craig, Jr. and his wife Maggie of Kershaw, George Arthur Craig and his wife Mary of Lancaster, Wade Craig and his wife Sandra of Orangeburg, Mrs. Ruth Mahaffey and her husband Jim of Lancaster, Mrs. Sadie Bozarth and her husband Sonny of Mt. Holly, NJ, Mrs. Judy Hinson and her husband Rusty of Lancaster, Ms. Jane Catoe of Lancaster, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends at Baker Funeral Home in Kershaw, SC on Monday, March 4, between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at the Pleasant Plain Baptist Church at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5. The Revs. Todd Montgomery and Kyle Sims will officiate. Burial will follow at the Kershaw City Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Pleasant Plain Baptist Church at 3795 Pleasant Plains Road, Kershaw, SC, 29067.