Bill Craig
Dr. William Edgar Craig, 72, passed away Dec. 29, 2021, at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Temple, after a team roping accident on his ranch in Hamilton County.
Bill was born in Hamilton on April 24, 1949, to parents Edgar and Amye Oglesby Craig.
Bill spent his entire life, except for eight years of college and one year practicing in Uvalde, living and working in Hamilton County. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1967 and received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics from Texas Tech University in 1972.
While at Tech he pledged Phi Delta Theta fraternity and participated in the rodeo community. He was named the 1970 Outstanding Student in the Department of Agricultural Economics and graduated with honors.
Bill further pursued his education at Texas A & M University, receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. Bill then returned to his hometown in 1975 and practiced Veterinary Medicine for 36 years, then enjoyed spending his days ranching.
Bill met the love of his life, Karen Sue Mince, at Texas Tech in 1971, and they were married August 24, 1974.
Bill and Karen spent the next 47 years living in Hamilton and had wonderful years raising their sons Shalor and Chandler and grandsons Kellan, Nolan and Carter. Their family spent many exciting times together fishing, hunting, scuba diving, traveling, snow skiing and following the Hamilton Bulldogs sports and One Act Play competitions.
Bill was very proud of his young men and supported them in all their sporting and academic activities. He spent hours teaching them by example how to work hard, be a friend, respect the land and serve the community. Bill was passionate about his ranch, his livestock and crops and his lifelong sport, roping.
Bill was very active in his hometown and believed that in most cases, the progressive thing to do was the right thing to do. He would say, “If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind.”
He served on the Board of Directors for Hamilton Healthcare System for 35 years and was currently serving as president of the board. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon. He also had served as a member of the City Council.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Amye and Ed, and his beloved son, Chandler Ed.
He is survived by his wife Karen Mince Craig; his son Dr. William Shalor Craig and wife Melissa; grandsons Kellan, Carter and Nolan Craig; his sister, Jane Comer and her husband Harry; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
A graveside service was held Saturday, Jan. 1, in the Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton. Due to COVID concerns, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
The family welcomes memorials to the Hamilton Healthcare System (400 North Brown), the Hamilton Public Library (201 North Pecan), the Hamilton County Historical Museum (Box 723), or the First Baptist Church of Hamilton (Box 673).
Pallbearers were Dr. Bobby Cox, Ricky Fuqua, Seth Gillespie, Ramon Haile, Dan Raibourn and Grady “Butch” Williams.
Honorary pallbearers were Joe Allen, Fred Chandler, Frank Johnson, Mickey Kinsey, Dr. Don McLeod, Dr. Hardy Morgan and Neil Phillips.
