Mr. William Henry Crank, Jr. of Crescent Road, W-S, NC passed away peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2011 at Forsyth Medical Center, following a brief illness.
Mr. Crank was born November 12, 1944 in Winston-Salem, NC to the late William Henry Crank, Sr. and Aaron Malinda Crank. He attended the local public schools and was a 1964 graduate of Atkins High School, where he played in the marching and jazz bands. "Crank", as he was most commonly known, attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. He was a veteran of the US Army, having served in Korea. Crank was an avid musician and loved playing the bass guitar. Following several other careers, Crank became a plumber by trade and spent many years helping others in that field.
He was a life-time member of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, having previously served as a trustee and church treasurer. He had a passion for Wednesday morning prayer meeting. Crank also enjoyed spending moments with the members of Fair Oaks Chapel.
Mr. Crank was preceded in death by his parents; and one aunt, Cora Cooper of Saginaw, Michigan.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 27 years, Mary Johnson Crank of the home; a devoted Goddaughter and grandson, Ramelle (Lolly) Shuler and Donte Dykes of Winston-Salem, NC; his beloved mother-in-law, Mrs. Lucy Johnson of the home; several other heart children, Jade Johnson of Apex, NC, Linda Redd and Fred-Rick L. Roundtree of Winston-Salem, NC; devoted friends including Cozette Smith of Oak Ridge, NC and Godmother, Frances Ferrell of Winston-Salem, NC and John Wright of Monroe, NC; other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life will be held for Mr. Crank on Tuesday evening, April 26, 2011 from 6:30pm until 8pm at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Samuel Cornelius presiding. A graveside services will be held at 2pm Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The procession will leave from the home at 1:15pm Wednesday in route to the cemetery.