Mr. Walter Blease Crawford, age 89 of 1208 Old Plank Road, Salisbury, NC, died, Saturday, November 3, 2007 at Rowan Regional Medical Center after declining health of three months. He was born in Catawba, SC on July 14, 1918 to the late Leroy and Carrie Cherry Crawford. He attended the public schools of Catawba, SC and Cabarrus Community College. He retired from PPG and worked with Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Mr. Crawford was a member of Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, Salisbury, and served on the trustee board, usher board and in the choir. Walter was also a member of the Freedom Star Quintet and an avid baseball fan, especially of the Dodgers and Braves.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dyetee Jones Crawford, in 1994, and a son, George Crawford, in 2003.

Those who survive to forever keep his memore are a son, Walter L. Crawford (Faye) of Spencer; daughter, Mae Hall (George) of Wilmington, Del., a brother, Sam Crawford of Sharon Hill, Pa., sister, Roberta Massey of Catawba, SC., grandchildren reared in the home, Durwood Bynum, Salisbury, and Racquel Crawford, Charlotte; andone great-grand child.

Service: Funeral service will be held 12 p.m., Wednesday at Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church conducted by the Rev. Dr. Grant Harrison, pastor. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Salisbury.

Visitation: Visitaion is 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Wednesday at the church. The family will also receive friends at the home of Walter L. Crawford, 1208 Old Plank Rd.

Hairston Funeral Home, Inc., is serving the family. Online messages may be sent to hairstonfh@bellsouth.net.