CRAIG, WILLIAM JENKINS (1916-1985). William Jenkins "Bill" Craig, attorney, state Representative and County Judge, was born February 6, 1916, in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas, to William H. and Vernie J. Craig. After graduating from Miami public schools he attended Amarillo Junior College and Texas Technological College, now Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas, receiving a degree in Business Administration in January 1942.
Following the U. S. entrance into the war, in 1942, Craig joined the Navy and served with a mine sweeper, USS Pheasant, most of the war. June of 1944 Craig participated in the Normandy Invasion, leaving from the port of Torquay in England. 1946 he was discharged as a Lieutenant.
Shortly after he was discharged, Craig in 1946 ran for the office of State Representative for the top ten counties, district 124, of the state of Texas. He won and served two terms. During this time Craig decided to attend law school at the University of Texas and completed his law degree in January of 1952. In June of that year the Craig family moved to Pampa, Texas, which was only 24 miles from his hometown of Miami, Texas, and where he had grown up.
Living in Pampa, Texas, Craig practiced criminal and civil law in association with Curtis Douglas. In 1954 he served as Pampa City Judge and in 1959 was elected County Judge of Gray County Texas. Judge Craig served as County Judge office for eight years.
1967 William J. Craig was appointed Assistant Attorney General of Texas by the newly elected Attorney General Crawford Martin. Bill served in this capacity until he retired in 1977. He died on August 28, 1985, and is buried in the Texas State Cemetery.
Judge Craig is survived by his wife, the former Betty Lee Berry and their five children, Berry, Richard, Steven, Carla and Leslee and four grandchildren.
Information obtained by his wife Betty B. Craig. |
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