William L. Crainer

William L. Crainer, age 77, of the City of Tonawanda, Monday, December 24, 2007 at his residence, under the loving care of his family. Born in Olean, NY, he had been a resident of Tonawanda for the past 49 years and was a 1948 graduate of Portville Central School. He was a US Navy veteran serving on the USS Catamount during the Korean War. Bill had been employed as an Electrician for Ashland Oil Co. in the Tw. of Tonawanda for 32 years. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Tonawandas’ Post 264 American Legion and the Ashland Oil Retirees Club. He was also a life long New York Yankees fan. He is survived by his wife of 52 1/2 years, Barbara E. (nee Macdonald) Crainer; five children, Nancy (Arthur) Sweeney of Appleton, NY, Thomas (Sylvia) Crainer of Oxford, CT, John (Nadine) Crainer of Wheatfield, Kevin (Susan) Crainer of Monroe, NC and Teresa (Randy) Fry of Tonawanda; fifteen grandchildren, LeeAnne (Chris) Scott, Pamela (Michael) Guslawski, John Hunt, Cameron (Renee), Caitlin, Brandon, Allison, Emily, Amanda and Chad Crainer, Valerie (Charles Freeburg) Fry, Ian Fry, John, Katie and Amber Sweeney; seven great grandchildren, Alexis, Trey, Hayden, Olivia, Mikhayla, MacKenzie and Nathan; two sisters, Ginnie (Charles) Knowlton of Midland City, AL and Beverly (Ron) Wood of Anchorage, AK; and a brother, Terry (Evie) Crainer of Richburg, NY; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends may call Thursday only from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at John O. Roth Funeral Home, Inc., 25 William St. (between Morgan and Broad Sts.) in Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 150 Broad St., in Tonawanda, Friday at 10 AM. Please assemble at the church. The Rev. Msgr. Richard Wetter and Rev. Michael Uebler will officiate. Entombment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi School, 70 Adam St., Tonawanda, NY 14150.