March 2021

 

I am so proud to be called your wife. We had a wonderful life full of love, faith, family, travel, food and adventure. You were my perfect teammate. We took cancer one day at a time and before we knew it we had past the one year mark and then the two year mark. Not bad considering you were given less than a year. Last Thursday you were doing OK and then Friday came. Little did we know the end was close. On Monday our care team kicked into overdrive and made you comfortable. Tuesday you told me you loved me. This morning you puckered up and gave me a kiss and then around 4:05 you made a peaceful transition from earth to heaven. My teammate may no longer be on this earth but he will always live in my heart. I was blessed to create so many great memories with this warrior.

He is MY HERO. I love you more!

William R. Crawford C.E.C, A.A.C., known to his family as Rodney and to most of the world as Chef Crawford, traded in his earthly body for a heavenly one on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 after a 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Bill was born on September 4, 1946.  He grew up in Flint, MI where he attended Oak Park Methodist and graduated in 1965 from Flint Central High School.

After serving in the Air Force from 1965-1968, Bill pursued his passion for cooking by attending The Culinary Institute of America, graduating with honors in 1974.  He married, had two beautiful daughters, and spent the next twelve years opening restaurants for hotels and country clubs around the United States. 

In 1987, Bill came back to Flint and began teaching Culinary Arts at Mott Community College. 

In 1997, Bill married Connie Marshall.  As their life continued they were blessed with four grandchildren.  Ella, Ian, Neil and Ember were the light of his life.

After Bill’s retirement from Mott Community College in 2012, Bill and Connie fulfilled their dream of traveling the USA full time in an RV.   They saw so much of this beautiful country, visiting every state except Nebraska.  They made many wonderful friends that became family and enjoyed so many wonderful foods on their journey.  

Bill is survived by his loving wife Connie and daughters Jennifer Crawford-Kocik of Wixom, MI, Andrea Lafferty of Cedar Park, TX and Athena Gould (Nate) of Bowie, TX.  Sisters Mary Lavengood (Barc) of Hudson, FL, Chris Burns (Wayne) of Grand Blanc, MI and Linda Koory (Chuck) of Grand Blanc, MI. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Joyce Crawford, his brother Douglas, and many special aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Culinary Federation Flint/Saginaw Valley Chapter Chef William R. Crawford Endowment.  It was Bill’s dream to help culinarians explore their passion of food and food culture.

February 2021

 

Welcome to February in Florida.

The hospice Chaplin stopped by for a visit and

preformed a pinning ceremony to honor 

Bill's military service.  

It was a very nice touch.  

Love the foggy mornings

Florida Wild Life

This is right in front of the rig

Sunrise and Sunsets on Lake Lowery

Float planes land on the lake

My favorite full moon photo

Thank you Ron and Bonnie for the tasty gifts.

Bill Update

The steroids did not help with appetite or energy so he is off those.

What I thought was drainage from allergies is just stuff that is building up in his lungs due to the cancer.  The nebulizer has helped a little and as of today he is on a medication that should help dry things up.  Keeping my fingers crossed for this one.

He did get a call from Mark Handy this week that really made him happy.  The account has been set up for the Chef William R. Crawford Endowment.  We have talked for many years about an endowment fund that would help students realize the culinary culture.  We have been so lucky to travel and enjoy so many different foods and cultures.  This fund will support student culinary trips for food events or a visit, tour or meal that adds a special culinary component that an ACF member may not do because of cost.  We are so excited to see where the members go with a little extra funding. 

 

January 2021

 Welcome to the New Year

This is a Florida sunset

 

We have lots of wild life around the rig.

 

We were setting on the patio when my dad spotted

this little critter coming across the water.

This pelican hung around for a couple of days.

The other birds were ticking him off.  They would dive and swim under him.

So he flew up and dove right on top of the other bird.

The bird popped up and was no worse for wear.

My neighbor Sadie

In front of the rig

Some days we have clouds

Bill's sister Mary drove over for a visit.

We were so glad to see her.

Bill Update

We got the results of the CT scan and it was not the news we are used to getting.

The cancer in his lungs have doubled and the cancer in the pancreas is growing and putting pressure on the blood vessels.  This is causing the pancreas to swell and that is putting pressure on the other organs.  He has been put on a steroid to help with apatite, fatigue and maybe some weight gain.  We did not see much of a change so that drug has been doubled.  He was also sent a drug for bloating and gas.  This drug has been a game changer.  He now has an oxygen machine.  I am not sure how often he will use it, but he has one.  He also got a nebulizer.  It is allergy season and he has a lot of drainage in his throat and not enough lung power to cough it up.  They are hoping the nebulizer will help to dry up and break up the mess to make it easier on him to cough it up. 

Congratulations to my hubby for getting his Covid-19 shot and 

having no Sid effects.  

So that is all the news I have.

Thanks so much for the prayers!!

December 2020

 

Bill, Dad and I celebrated my birthday at the True Blue Winery.

We found this winery last year and loved it.

This is their beautiful mascot kitty.  He is very friendly especially if you have food.

I had one of their famous Cuban sandwiches and clam chowder.  

They were perfect.

  

I also got a birthday song from Tom and Chrisy.

It was a nice surprise.

We have taken a few rides on the boat.  I just need to learn to park this thing.

We were lucky to spot some wild life on lake lowery.

Then it was time for Christmas lights in Florida

                                                               
     This is a Christmas TP Tree

We spent our Christmas in Texas with the family.  The grandkids are growing up fast and we really had fun with them.  

                                                             

And we took a drive around the race track and then a look at more Christmas lights.  It was a great set up.

                                                                  

Bill Update:

We met with the genetic specialist and learned that the cancer was not caused by an inherited gene but due to age or environment. I really hoped to learn more about the genetics of the cancer. His weight continues to decrease as does his energy level.  He is still eating as well as he can and continues to have no pain or nausea.  He still has enough energy to get in and out of the pontoon boat and he was able to walk through Orlando airport on our way to Texas.  Bill is looking forward to the RV show in Tampa. 

We are blessed to still have positive things on our list.  

Thank you for all the prayers.  They mean a lot to both of us.