William Smith Craig, age 80, of Mount Airy, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Born on March 31, 1945, in Carnesville, Georgia, William was the son of the late Roy Little Craig, Sr. and Winnie Bell Pilgrim Craig. A proud patriot, he honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, a chapter of his life he held with deep pride and quiet strength.
William dedicated many years of hard work to Coats & Clark in Toccoa and later served as a Walmart Associate in Cornelia, Georgia until his retirement. His commitment to family and community was evident in the many ways he gave of his time, including several years of service as a parent chaperone for the Habersham Central “Band of Blue.”
In his spare time, William found joy in the simple pleasures of life—fishing, camping, and playing the drums. He was a man of faith and was of the Baptist belief, drawing strength and comfort from his relationship with the Lord throughout his life.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Elaine Holbrook Craig; sons, Kevin Craig and Ronnie Craig; daughters and sons-in-law, Sheila and Brad Shedd, and Kristy and Arvid Gordon; brothers, Roy, Jr. and Jean Craig, and Talmadge Craig; sister, Patsy Wilbanks; 12 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will cherish his memory.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home, with Rev. Jerrell Beatty officiating. Interment will follow in the Camp Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, with Mr. Kasey McEntire officiating at the graveside. Full military honors will be provided by The Grant Reeves Veterans Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, January 29, 2026.
Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made in memory of William to the Alzheimer’s Association by visiting https://donorservices.alz.org.
An online guest registry is available for the Craig family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.
McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706-778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.
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