Willis R. Crane

Willis R. Crane, a resident of Harmony Hall Assisted Living Center in Columbia, MD, passed away on Sunday, September 03, 2017, very peacefully in his sleep.  Willis was born on February 16, 1938 in Washington, D.C., and was the son of the late August Crane and Loretta Barrett.  Willis married his late wife, Camille (Miletti) on April 4, 1964 at Nativity Church in Washington, D.C.  He was a devoted husband for all those 49 years and was her all encompassing caregiver during her last illness.

His family and friends will miss his smile, his great sense of humor, his gentle and kind nature.  He never lost these traits through his declining health.  His family includes Mary Pat (Crane) Murray, who was his sister-in-law, the wife of his late brother Jerry, and who was devoted to Willis all through his time at Harmony Hall.  He also has these nephews and nieces:  Jerome John Crane, Jr., Kenneth Brian Crane, Michael Dennis Crane, Andrew Mark Crane, Jennifer Lorette Crane Backe, Terence Matthew Crane, Robert Barrett Crane, Christopher Barrett Crane and Alana McKay. 

His late wife's family will also miss his sweet nature - Nancy, his sister-in-law and her husband, Jerry, the Gordon's, the Criscuolo's, the Crichton's, the DeGrouchy's, the Ratino's, the Ward's, the Dawson's, and the DeMent's.

Willis' profession was as a draftsman for the Navy.  Before that he was in the Coast Guard.

Willis was talented in photography and, most of all, loved his model trains.  He was known as always wearing a baseball type cap everywhere, some with insignias for the Redskins, Orioles, or NASCAR.  The exception was in the winter when he wore a knitted Redskin's hat.  He continued this even in the Assisted Living Center.

The family will receive friends at the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Ave., Laurel, MD 20707 on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, 10:30 am, at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church, 114 St. Mary's Place, Laurel, MD.  Interment will take place after Church at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  Jerry and Jill Crane, who also contributed greatly to Willis' care at Harmony Hall, are graciously hosting a reception at their house after the burial.  Their address will be available at the funeral.

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