Raymond Walter "Stubby" Crawford

GROVETON - Raymond "Stubby" Walter Crawford, 96, of Stratford Road, passed away at his home surrounded by family, Wednesday afternoon, August 17, 2022. Raymond was born in Groveton on May 13, 1926, the son of Walter and Clara (Stevens) Crawford. During World War II Raymond served with the US Army. He was a Private First Class in the 391st Armored Field Battalion which joined the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company C. He was drafted August 3, 1944, and deployed January 8, 1945 as replacement Company after the Battle of the Bulge. On June 28, 1946, he was honorably discharged and earned the Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and EAME Campaign Medal. He returned to Groveton where he lived his whole life. Raymond was employed as a machinist and worked 50 years for the Groveton Paper Board and later James River Corporation. Working there for so long is where he was given his nickname Stubby. He was known to have a "dry" sense of humor, sharing many tales of the good ole mill days. Raymond loved trains. He watched all the train shows he could find on TV and looked forward to his annual foliage train rides with his family on trains around New England. Surviving family members include his daughter, Kathy C. Wiles and husband Dean Wiles of Groveton; daughter Sheila C. Lovering and husband David Lovering of Concord, NH; a son Gary Raymond Crawford of Tennessee; a granddaughter, Sabrina Rae Zanes of Groveton; a grandson, Loren W. Locke and significant other Stacey Wilson of Groveton; grandchildren, David J. Lovering and Jaimie Lyn Lovering, both of Concord, NH; one great-grandson Julian James Dow of Concord; along with nieces and nephews. Raymond was predeceased by his first love, Julia Mae Holden Crawford; his second wife Virginia "Ginny" Crawford; and his eldest son, Roderick James Crawford. The family would like to thank the VA Home Based Clinic of Littleton, especially Terry and Erin, for helping make it possible to keep Raymond home as he wished during his declining health. We would also like to thank the Home Health and Hospice team for their assistance and care for the last few months. And special thanks to Louise who helped us for 8 years. Visiting hours will be held Saturday, August 20th from 1:00-3:00PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A service will follow immediately after at 3:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow in Northumberland Cemetery, Lancaster. A luncheon will follow at Ice Pond Village in Lancaster. Donations may be made in his memory to the Cancer Society or Warriors @ 45 North, P.O. Box 132, Pittsburg, NH, 03592-0132.

Raymond Walter "Stubby" Crawford

May 13, 1926 - August 17, 2022