Willard Dean Crane, Sr.

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Mr. Willard Dean Crane, Sr., age 91 of North Wilkesboro passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Mtn. Valley SECU Hospice Home in Yadkinville.  

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Dean Crane, Rev. Bryant Crane and Rev. Lyn Lambert officiating.  Burial will be in Scenic Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM prior to the service at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. 

Willard was born August 14, 1933, in Wilkes County to Cornice (C.C.) and Winnie Thelma Lou Triplett Crane.  

Willard worked on and sold used cars until retirement and was well known for his honesty, with mostly return customers.  In high school he excelled in football and received the Babe Ruth Sportmanship Award.  He was a Veteran of the United States Army. 

He was a Godly loving, kind, patient man and was apt to teaching.  He was a devoted father, grandfather and great grandfather.  He spent many hours reading and studying the Bible.  He was faithful in church and had great wisdom of the Bible and he enjoyed teaching the men’s Sunday School class for many years.  Willard was Sunday School Superintendent and sang in the choir.  He and Iva Dean ensured the family grew up in church, learning about Jesus and to be faithful.  He enjoyed gardening, especially his tomatoes and was an avid fisherman of trout and crappie.  He loved sharing his tomatoes and fish with friends and family. 

Well done good and faithful servant!  We Love you Dad! 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Iva Dean Edmiston Crane, two sisters, Josephine Crane Greene, Jeannette Crane Lambert and a brother, Bruce Crane. 

He is survived by a daughter, Jeanne Crane Cook of North Wilkesboro, two sons, Rev. Dean Crane and wife Betty of Purlear, Rev. Bryant Crane and wife Sharan of George, South Africa. Grandchildren; Matthew Crane and wife Sabrina, Adam Crane and wife Catie, Joshua Glenn Crane, Josh Bryant Crane and wife Brittany; Daniel Crane and wife Kelsi; Zachary Crane and wife Nicole, David Cook and wife Brandi. Great grandchildren, Michelle Shumate, Hannah Crane Kilby, Megan Crane Miller, Andrea Crane Miller, Austin Crane, Andrew Jordan “AJ” Crane, Emmalyn Crane, Charlie Crane, William Crane, Tyler Crane, Amelia Crane, Henry Crane, Ava Crane, Emma Crane, Callie Crane, Charlotte Crane and Graylen Cook. 

Memorials may be made to Mtn. Valley SECU Hospice Home, 243 N. Lee Avenue, Yadkinville, NC 27055 or Gideon’s International South Camp, PO Box 323, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. 

The family requests no flowers or food due to allergies. 

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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