William Bruce Crawford was born on September 19, 1936 in Marvel, Arkansas. He passed away on March 30, 2024 at age 87, after losing his fight to a long illness.
Bruce spent the majority of his working life on the road as a successful driver of an entertainer coach (bus) for several influential and prominent artists and musicians. He was also one of the founding members of a non-profit charitable organization called Christmas For Kids. This organization and its volunteer drivers used the artist buses to treat local children to a Christmas lunch and a shopping spree. It all started in 1982, and it is still going strong today. In the recent years, it has grown to helping 400 kids. Bruce remained on the board until his passing.
Just recently his career was acknowledged by the Entertainer Motorcoach Hall of Fame as one of the first inductees in the driver category.
Bruce is survived by his wife Barbara. They shared 35 wonderful years together. They shared a blended family with four children … Delwayne “Allen” (Elizabeth) Crawford of Portland TN, Diana “Sissy” (Joe) Cribb of Portland TN, Angie (Rick) McCollam of Cottontown TN, and Todd (Cheryl) Brannon of Franklin, KY. He also counted his blessings with 7 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his sister Mable (Billy) Self and his brother Johnny (Tresia) Crawford and many other extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents Aubrey and Mattie Crawford, and his first wife Norma Jean Keeling.
A service to celebrate Bruce's life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, May 27, 2024, at Grace Church, 1604 Long Hollow Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066.
In lieu of flowers, Bruce asked that you please consider a donation to Christmas For Kids. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 2611, Hendersonville, TN 37075. You may also donate through Venmo (@Christmas4KidsTN) or through their website,
www.christmas4kids.org.
We are betting that his friend Claude was waiting to greet him in heaven with a fishing pole in hand.