William Wayne “Bill” Craft

William Wayne “Bill” Craft, 78 of Marked Tree, departed this life Feb. 11, 2021, in Jonesboro. He was born in Marked Tree on Sept. 18, 1942, to William Wesley and Tessie Irene Coates Craft. Bill was of the Church of God faith. He was very civic minded. He was a former Poinsett County judge, business owner, member of the CRDC Board, Rotary, Jaycees, Lions Club, and Tri-City Cultural Council. He enjoyed helping underprivileged children. He started an outreach ministry for youth, and he was Santa Claus to countless children in the NEA community. Many knew him as “The Can Man.”

He was preceded in death by his wife, Tommye Carolyn Higgins Craft; his parents; one son, Tyler Craft; two brothers, James “Jim” and Stanley Craft.

Bill is survived by one son, Wes Craft (Sanja) of Bono; one daughter, Angela Tucker (Patrick) of Marked Tree; one sister, Margaret Steers of Bakersfield, Calif.; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s hospital.

Due to COVID-19, services will be private, for family only.