Willard R. Cravens, 92, of Nampa, passed away at his home with his wife of 71 years at his side, on Saturday, April 14, 2007. A graveside funeral service to celebrate and honor his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at the Dry Creek Cemetery, Boise. The family will greet loved ones and friends at the Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. So., Nampa Ð 466-3545 on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Willard was born on April 9, 1915 in Riley, Kan., the son of Joseph and Emily (Barry) Cravens. On March 7, 1936 he married Ava Jane Spurrier. In the early years of their marriage they moved to Idaho and operated the Ferry Service at the Walter's Ferry Bridge. In 1963 Willard began his real estate career, after several years in the Nampa area he and Ava Jane retired and moved to Port Angeles, Wash. They remained in Port Angeles until returning to Nampa in 2001. Willard's claim to fame came in 1956 when he set a world record by catching a 360-pound sturgeon in the Snake River near Celebration Park.
He is survived by his wife and four daughters, Elsie Rae Demille (Stan), Babe Proesch, Cathy Anderson (Randy), and Cris Skyles (Spence), 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one sister, Alberta Bellman of California.
A special thanks to Dr. Hutchings and Mercy Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boise State Foundation, in care of Celebration Park, 5000 Victory Road, Melba, Idaho, 83641.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 4/17/2007.
Willard was born on April 9, 1915 in Riley, Kan., the son of Joseph and Emily (Barry) Cravens. On March 7, 1936 he married Ava Jane Spurrier. In the early years of their marriage they moved to Idaho and operated the Ferry Service at the Walter's Ferry Bridge. In 1963 Willard began his real estate career, after several years in the Nampa area he and Ava Jane retired and moved to Port Angeles, Wash. They remained in Port Angeles until returning to Nampa in 2001. Willard's claim to fame came in 1956 when he set a world record by catching a 360-pound sturgeon in the Snake River near Celebration Park.
He is survived by his wife and four daughters, Elsie Rae Demille (Stan), Babe Proesch, Cathy Anderson (Randy), and Cris Skyles (Spence), 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one sister, Alberta Bellman of California.
A special thanks to Dr. Hutchings and Mercy Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boise State Foundation, in care of Celebration Park, 5000 Victory Road, Melba, Idaho, 83641.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 4/17/2007.
Willard R. Cravens, 92, of Nampa, passed away at his home with his wife of 71 years at his side, on Saturday, April 14, 2007. A graveside funeral service to celebrate and honor his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2007 at the Dry Creek Cemetery, Boise. The family will greet loved ones and friends at the Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel, 404 10th Ave. So., Nampa Ð 466-3545 on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Willard was born on April 9, 1915 in Riley, Kan., the son of Joseph and Emily (Barry) Cravens. On March 7, 1936 he married Ava Jane Spurrier. In the early years of their marriage they moved to Idaho and operated the Ferry Service at the Walter's Ferry Bridge. In 1963 Willard began his real estate career, after several years in the Nampa area he and Ava Jane retired and moved to Port Angeles, Wash. They remained in Port Angeles until returning to Nampa in 2001. Willard's claim to fame came in 1956 when he set a world record by catching a 360-pound sturgeon in the Snake River near Celebration Park.
He is survived by his wife and four daughters, Elsie Rae Demille (Stan), Babe Proesch, Cathy Anderson (Randy), and Cris Skyles (Spence), 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one sister, Alberta Bellman of California.
A special thanks to Dr. Hutchings and Mercy Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boise State Foundation, in care of Celebration Park, 5000 Victory Road, Melba, Idaho, 83641.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 4/17/2007.
Willard was born on April 9, 1915 in Riley, Kan., the son of Joseph and Emily (Barry) Cravens. On March 7, 1936 he married Ava Jane Spurrier. In the early years of their marriage they moved to Idaho and operated the Ferry Service at the Walter's Ferry Bridge. In 1963 Willard began his real estate career, after several years in the Nampa area he and Ava Jane retired and moved to Port Angeles, Wash. They remained in Port Angeles until returning to Nampa in 2001. Willard's claim to fame came in 1956 when he set a world record by catching a 360-pound sturgeon in the Snake River near Celebration Park.
He is survived by his wife and four daughters, Elsie Rae Demille (Stan), Babe Proesch, Cathy Anderson (Randy), and Cris Skyles (Spence), 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one sister, Alberta Bellman of California.
A special thanks to Dr. Hutchings and Mercy Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boise State Foundation, in care of Celebration Park, 5000 Victory Road, Melba, Idaho, 83641.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 4/17/2007.
Inscription
Blessed With Four Loving Daughters
Married 71 Years
Gravesite Details
Willard's daughter Babe shares his grave. His daughter Elsie shares his wife Ava's grave. Babe has a marker. Elsie does not.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
