Donald William "Bill" Craft
June 4, 1925 — January 31, 2012
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Past Services
Visitation
Celebration of Life
Donald William "Bill" Craft
Bill was born in Greenwood, Indiana on June 4th, 1925 to Donald Rich Craft and Grace Beulah (Jones) Craft. After graduating from Greenwood High School in 1943, he was sworn into the Navy and attended Purdue University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1945. He played the sousaphone in the band and was a member of Tau Beta Pi, the National Honor Society for Engineers. As an Ensign, he went to San Diego for training and then received orders to go to San Francisco to attach to the LST115 landing ship. While in San Francisco, he met Alma McVey.
He returned to Purdue for his Master's degree (M.S.M.E. 1949) and taught gas turbines and jet propulsion in the School of Aeronautics. He and Alma were married in 1948, and they moved to Melrose, MA in 1954 when Bill joined GE in the Aircraft Accessory Turbine Dept. in Lynn, MA. In 1962 he joined Direct Energy Conversion, also in Lynn, working on hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells and water electrolysis systems for spacecraft and underwater applications; much of his work was used in production versions of the NASA Gemini Program. In 1982 he joined IPO where he worked on designing flowmeters and gyroscopes.In 1988 Bill Craft, IPO Senior Design Engineer, was chosen Engineer of the Year for outstanding achievements in the field of Engineering. He retired from General Electric and then worked for two years as a consultant for Ametek Corporation in Wilmington, MA.
Bill was a devoted husband and father and a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Melrose where he served as deacon from 1993 to 1999. After retiring, he was active in the Old Timer's Club at the church, the Elfun Society, and the Sparkplugs for retired engineers. He was a supporter of local groups including the Melrose Symphony Orchestra and his church. He was a kind and generous man, always willing to lend a hand or help those in need. He was a man of integrity and compassion for others. With quiet dignity, he touched many lives.
Bill was the beloved husband of Alma McVey Craft with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. Devoted father of Dr. Melody Craft Karian and her late husband Dr. Steve H. Karian of Sudbury, Carol Craft Malaquias and her husband Dr. Stephen Malaquias of Dennis, and Beverly Craft Buckley and her husband Stephen Buckley of Chatham. Dear brother of Carolyn Murnane and her husband Lawrence of Jefferson Valley, NY. Cherished grandfather of Laurel Karian of Burlington, VT, Peter Karian of Baltimore, MD, Jennifer Ryan and her husband Andrew of Rowayton, CT, Sarah Malaquias of Palisades, NY, Alison Buckley of Boston, Hannah Buckley of Fitchburg and Brewster, and the late Lily Karian. Loving great grandfather of Charles Ryan. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends will honor and remember Bill's life by gathering for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, February 24 from 4-6 PM and again on Saturday afternoon at the First United Methodist Church, 645 Main St., Melrose where his Memorial Service will be celebrated at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Bill may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 645 Main St., Melrose, MA 02176 or the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 760715, Melrose, MA 02176.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald William "Bill" Craft, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, February 24, 2012
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Celebration of Life
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Starts at 3:00 pm
First United Methodist Church
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