Birth date: Jan 2, 1937 Death date: Apr 11, 2019
Funeral services for William “Willie” Cravens, 82, of Longview will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church at 12pm. A rosary will be held in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home on Sunday, April 14 starting Read Obituary
It was by accident that I thought of Willie a week ago and asked if anyone in Longview knew how he was. I had not thought of him in many many years so that was odd. I also was not sure of his name, but Scott Cole followed up with me. My dad had an office around the corner from the barbershop at Longview Bank. He and Willie could talk forever.
Just found out that willy had passed and I am so sorry to hear this late. Willy started cutting my hair when I was a young boy- and started going back in my mid 20's. We hit it off with duck hunting and fishing. We went a lot together at first but as my family started to grow bigger my time with willy got less. We spent many of sunrises together waiting on shooting light. Lots of good memories with willy. Will miss him very much and will always think of him while hunting the holes we always hunted.
Working with Willie was a part of some of the greatest years in my life so far. I just got the news today. The community lost someone very special.
I will never forget the day a very heated discussion happened in the barbershop one day. I piped up and said, "I sure do love you old farts" They all stopped and just laughed. Well I do, love Willie and I miss him, too.
So very sorry to hear about Willie's passing. My nephew, Albert Goettle, informed me of it. I guess Willie and I must go back about 70 years. We were in grade school at
St. Anthony's. Willie was my fishing and hunting buddy for many years. We were not always successful on our trips, but we always had a great time together. He started his barber's profession with Red Crane a couple of years before he relocated to downtown. Red had access to a duck blind on the upper area of Lake Cherokee and Willie and I spent many enjoyable duck hunts there. Needless to say, Willie was a super nice person and will be greatly missed.
Jim Goettle.
Willie was one of the first Longview natives I met after coming to Longview almost 40 years ago to go to school. A good friend, an awesome barber and a fine man. If you needed to know anything about Longview, just ask Willie! He will be so missed. Paul & Bickie Bergthold
I’m sorry about Willie, a classmate. A very nice article in today’s paper!
What a kind person! Claire Roberts English
Willie was a fine man to all that knew him. He was a special friend to my Dad for decades. I know St. Anthony's will miss him.
Robert Dragisic
Willie served under me in the National Guard. I enjoyed his friendship. Prayers and thoughts are with his family.
David J Sonnier
