Crandall, William A., 94, May 21, 2014. Interment held in the Evergreen Cemetery, Caribou. Arrangements by Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, Caribou.
CARIBOU – William Albert Crandall, 94, died Wednesday night at the Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center. When he passed, William was surrounded by his loving family and the caring nursing staff that had faithfully attended to his needs for more than a year. William was born in Caribou on May 15, 1920, the son of William S. Crandall and Eulalia (Spooner) Crandall of Caribou.
He attended Caribou High School graduating in 1938 and was drafted and survived as a motor pool mechanic in the Pacific Theater during WWII. While on furlough from his military training, he traveled home by train to marry Marjorie Alice Anderson of Caribou in the spring of 1943, and then returned to active duty. When the war ended, William returned home to farm his father’s land in Caribou and raised seed potato for Aroostook County farmers from 1946 till the late 1970s. William was an accomplished metal fabricator, welder, carpenter and hydraulic repairman and teamed up with Lloyd Duncan of Caribou in the 1960s to open C&D Enterprises and offer those same services to the community. It was under that partnership that C&D Enterprises produced the area’s first electrically operated front end loader designed specifically for use in potato houses and processing facilities. It was known as the Buck-a-Dit. C & D Enterprises operated under their co-leadership until William’s retirement.
William was an active member of the Caribou United Baptist Church for his entire life. He was there as a laborer working on its physical foundations as it was being constructed and continued to service its spiritual foundations as a member of its committees and board assignments to include work as a deacon, usher and general maintenance worker. His most cherished roles at his home church were those as Sunday School Teacher and Christian Service Boys Brigade Leader. Many will remember him for his wit, humor and wisdom, his love of fellowship and singing in the church choir. Still others will remember his advice and kind words and have counted him as a mentor and friend throughout their lives.
William and Marjorie Crandall were married for 71 years when he passed away.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Crandall of Caribou; his brother, Harold Crandall of McAllen, TX; his son, Fred and Charlotte Crandall of Cement City, MI; his daughters, Sharon and John Christie of Caribou, and Lorraine Crandall of McKinney, TX. He is also survived by six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one sister, Ruth A. Crandall; and one granddaughter, Joyce Ann Crandall.
Friends called 6 to 8 p.m., Friday evening, May 23, 2014, at Lancaster Morgan Funeral Home, 11 Clover St., Caribou. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 24, at the Caribou United Baptist Church, 74 High St., Caribou with Pastors Troy Heald and Jeremy Hale officiating. Interment followed the service at Evergreen Cemetery, Caribou. A small reception followed at the Caribou United Baptist Church. Online condolences may be expressed atwww.lancastermorgan.com.
