To Jim/Bill's friends and family:
I'm sad to report that Jim passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2011. I was his long-time friend and executrix. Lacking his phone book, I wanted to ensure everyone knew the news, so I'm posting the obituary I wrote for him, published in the
Newport News-Times, Newport, Oregon.
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me at
triciaamorgan@gmail.com. I will pass your comments on to his daughter, Rosemary.
Jim had great courage and strength, surviving so many years with his impaired heart. He was very proud of Rosemary, who is in college now. We take comfort in knowing he's no longer in pain and is probably singing karaoke in his beautiful voice somewhere, giving others pleasure.
Rosemary and I kindly request you do not contact his long-estranged wife, Evelyn, to offer any sympathy. Along with Jim's son, William, and Bill, her boyfriend of over a decade, she terrorized Jim and may have contributed to his death. While supposedly "caring" for Jim while Rosemary was out of town for a week in early September getting registered for college, the three of them starved Jim and refused him water, his medications and phone so he wouldn't be able to call for help. Rosemary called me when she found out and we got Jim to the hospital where he remained for a week, near death. He never felt the same after that incident and, with police assistance, had banned the three from his home. Now, Evelyn is playing the "grieving widow", has attempted to make Jim look bad and is making life even more difficult for Rosemary. We kindly ask you not play into her game.
My sympathies to you all and thanks for being good to Jim.
Tricia Morgan
His obituary:
William James Crafton
William James “Jim” Crafton, 58, a resident of Lincoln City, Oregon died Sunday morning, Dec. 11, 2011 at his home.
He was born Feb. 5, 1953 in Peoria, Illinois to Robert Lee Crafton and Patsy Lee Parks Crafton. He attended schools in Peoria. He attended Western Illinois University.
He was married to Evelyn Johnsen on Dec. 2, 1989 in Lincoln City, Oregon, and had two children, Rosemary and William, before separating in September 1995.
Despite a heart attack which destroyed a third of his heart when he was 28 and left him with ever-progressing congestive heart failure, Crafton raised his children completely on his own. He vowed to live long enough to raise them through high school, and was most proud when his daughter, Rosemary, entered college this year.
A lifelong entrepreneur, he owned a video store and apartment building among other endeavors, and was also an entertainer. He retired young due to his poor health.
He enjoyed watching movies, discussing politics, comedy, listening to music and singing karaoke to relax when physically able. He had a beautiful, rich, tenor voice. Even though he was often confined to bed in his later years, he was able to “be part of the world” through his computer. He reconnected with many friends from his younger years this way and enjoyed sending them humorous emails. Jim’s off-beat sense of humor was well-known and he laughed easily and often. He also loved and doted on his cat, Miss Kitty, and Alexandrine parrot, Miss Birdy.
He was predeceased by his parents and an infant brother, Stephen. Crafton is survived by his children, Rosemary Crafton, Eugene, Oregon; and son, William James Crafton II, Lincoln City, Oregon; brothers Michael Crafton, Minnesota, and Robert Crafton, Illinois; sister, Kathy Crafton, Illinois, and many loving friends.
Disposition is by cremation with arrangements handled by Bateman Pacific View Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Central Coast Humane Society, 831 NE Yaquina Heights Drive, Newport, Oregon 97365.
