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.