William Douglas Crawford passed away peacefully on August 6, 2021.
Born in Saginaw, MI, to former Congressman Fred L. and Elizabeth (Jones) Crawford. During his father’s eight terms (1935 -1953) in Washington, D.C., the family resided in Prince George’s County, MD. He briefly attended Staunton Military Academy, Staunton, VA. He graduated from Eastern High School, Washington, D.C. in 1952. While attending high school, Bill and his mother started the Allentown Road Volunteer Fire Department. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Wasp and was honorably discharged in 1959, having earned the commendations of Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, China Service Medal (Extended). After returning home from the Navy, he attended the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, graduating with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. After graduation in 1961, he started and ran his own business building custom homes. As aviation was always his passion, he then began taking flying lessons, and became a flight instructor. By 1967, he had become a commercial pilot, joining Mohawk Airlines, which eventually became part of U.S. Air. While on the job, he met his eventual wife, Marilyn Miles, who was a flight attendant for the airline. Bill, Marilyn and their family lived in both Washington D.C. and then Singer Island, FL, prior to relocating to the Pittsburgh area in 1986 in order for Bill to be close to the U.S. Air hub. Bill and Marilyn then chose to remain in Edgeworth for the past 35 years. He retired from his airline career as Captain in 1991 and started building custom homes in Sewickley thereafter for several years. He was a member of the Soaring Eagles Airline Pilot Association, and a friend of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed extensive travels across the U.S. and Europe, preferably by cruise ship. He also enjoyed sailing, boating, cooking and reading. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was also a great animal lover, especially of dogs and horses.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents. Married for 50 years, he is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn, and his sons William Jr. (Sandra), Scott (Jessica) and Doug (Christina), grandchildren Christopher, Colin, Dylan, Sierra, and two greatgrandchildren.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Cochran Hose Company, PO Box 1000, Sewickley, PA 15143, or Good Samaritan Hospice, Wexford, PA, or Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to a charity of your choosing. Arrangements entrusted to R.D. Copeland Ltd, Irvine Chapel - Sewickley.
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