The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-04-16
William E. Crawford

At his home in South Somerville, on
April 9Th, died William Z. Crawford.
He had been in failing health for quite
awhile. but was confined to bis room
for only one week. "UncIe Billy" as
he was familiarly known and lovingly
called, was born in Somerville, June %,
lS42, and was of Scotch Irish descent,
being the con of Franklin and Ann L.
(Eastham) Crawford. Franklin Craw-
ford was the first agent here for the
old M. and c. r. r. and continued in
that capacity for more than 35 years.
Uncle Billy was educated in the High
schools of bis native town and grad
uated therefrom in June 1860, and
soon thereafter united with the Pres
byterian Church.
At the age of nineteen years he
joined Company A, or Fsyette Rifles,
which was commanded by Capt. William
Burton of Somerville. He was wound
ed twice during the war, at Shiloh and
at Jonesboro, and was later captured at
Missionary Ridge. He was elected
First Lieutenant at Chickamauga and
served as such until the close of the war,
when he returned home to begin life
again in the home of his nativity. He
married Miss Emma Burton March 18th.
1873, and lived happily with her until
her death. On December 9th, 1900.
he married Miss Patti Rodgers. former
ly Principal of the La Grange Academy,
who was born sndreared near Byhalis,
Mississippi.
Uncle Billy Was Clerk of the County
Court of Fsyette County from 1906 to
1910. He was q Master Mason and
also Royal Arch and Council Mason.
II he had lived until April 18th Il would
have been fifty years since he became
member of this order
In every walk OF life he did his duty.
When the Tocsin of war was sounded,
when the martial music could be heard
In every Southern town and hamlet and
the flower and chivalrY of the South.
who had been Graded in the lap of
luxury and wealth heard the call and
responded to man. our friend although
boy from college left bis home and
fought side by eide with bis comrades
of five companies that composed
Vaughn's Regiment from Fayette
County. In every engagement be
flirted with death and sang and whis-
tied in order that minds unused to the
cannon's roar and shrieking shell might
remain cool, thoughtful and collected.
As a citizen be carries the sunshine and
good cheer into every crowd with whom
he came in contact, but IL was in the
home that be shone with such efful-
gent brightness and splendor. His de-
votion to his invalid wife and by whose
bedside he remained for more than ten
years and whose every want and wish
personally Hooked after and attended
to without murmur or complaint. He
never appeared in her presence with
groan or complaint. His motto was
whistle and sing and this was one of
the last things be said to his sorrowing
wife. Don't cry but whistle and sing"
The writer could say much about this
magnificent character whose devotion
to duty began as the good gray soldier
upon many Southern battle-felds and
ended as a martyr to that good princi-
pie that makes US feel like there lived
among Us a Superman. For greater
love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friend. II was
upon the anniversary of the great cause
that went out at Appomattox fateful
field that the life bark of our friend
cut loose from life's moorings and
fioated down the dark river to his
Haven of Rest" In pace requiescst.