Capt. William H. Cracknell Jr. (USN, Ret.), age 74, of Alliance, died at 5:40 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2005. He was at home with his family by his side. Bill will be remembered for his great love of his family and friends, the Navy, his country and his cars (but not necessarily in that order!)
A native of Alliance, Bill was a graduate of Alliance High School and Mount Union College. He remained a devoted alumnus to both schools throughout his life and was honored to be named an Alliance High School Distinguished Graduate and a recipient of Mount Union's Dodie Davis Alumni Service Award. A member of Kiwanis and the Masons, he took great pride in the public services these organizations provide.
Bill began his 39 years of military service in 1949 when he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in 1957, and was commissioned an Ensign. During his long and distinguished career he earned a reputation as an officer of great integrity and outstanding professionalism. His many commendations include the Bronze Star, the Navy Achievement Medal and several Meritorious Service Medals. His career included service in Vietnam and two tours of duty in London, England - the second of which he served as the Chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency Liaison Detachment in the British Ministry of Defence. He retired in 1988 as the Commander of the Naval Intelligence Command in Suitland, Maryland.
In 2001 he and his wife, Jeanne, moved back to his beloved hometown to once again be with the friends and family he had so missed during his decades away.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Tschabold) Cracknell, and four children: Bill Cracknell III of Woodbridge, Virginia; Tacie Fritz (husband John and two children, Molly and Owen) of Peachtree City, Georgia; Beth Hagan (husband Pat and two children, Emma and Leo) of East Glacier Park, Montana; and Stephen (wife Peggy and three children, Kristina, Stephen and Kathleen) of Woodbridge, Virginia; his uncle, Walter "Danny" Cracknell of Alliance; sisters, Joan Trautman of Randolph, Ohio, and Shirley Wright of Gold Canyon, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Cora Chandler Cracknell and grandparents Annie and Charles Cracknell and Edith and Adelbert Chandler.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with a reception to follow at his home.
Calling hours will be at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, with a Masonic Service to take place at 6:30 p.m. preceding the calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alliance Shrine Club for distribution to the Shriners Crippled Children's and Burn Hospital, P.O. Box 2626 Alliance, Ohio, 44601; the Alliance Kiwanis Club, c/o 12590 Beeson St. Alliance, Ohio 44601; or the Alliance Salvation Army, 57 W. Main St., Alliance, Ohio 44601.
Click to View Capt. Cracknell's Video Tribute
A native of Alliance, Bill was a graduate of Alliance High School and Mount Union College. He remained a devoted alumnus to both schools throughout his life and was honored to be named an Alliance High School Distinguished Graduate and a recipient of Mount Union's Dodie Davis Alumni Service Award. A member of Kiwanis and the Masons, he took great pride in the public services these organizations provide.
Bill began his 39 years of military service in 1949 when he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in 1957, and was commissioned an Ensign. During his long and distinguished career he earned a reputation as an officer of great integrity and outstanding professionalism. His many commendations include the Bronze Star, the Navy Achievement Medal and several Meritorious Service Medals. His career included service in Vietnam and two tours of duty in London, England - the second of which he served as the Chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency Liaison Detachment in the British Ministry of Defence. He retired in 1988 as the Commander of the Naval Intelligence Command in Suitland, Maryland.
In 2001 he and his wife, Jeanne, moved back to his beloved hometown to once again be with the friends and family he had so missed during his decades away.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne (Tschabold) Cracknell, and four children: Bill Cracknell III of Woodbridge, Virginia; Tacie Fritz (husband John and two children, Molly and Owen) of Peachtree City, Georgia; Beth Hagan (husband Pat and two children, Emma and Leo) of East Glacier Park, Montana; and Stephen (wife Peggy and three children, Kristina, Stephen and Kathleen) of Woodbridge, Virginia; his uncle, Walter "Danny" Cracknell of Alliance; sisters, Joan Trautman of Randolph, Ohio, and Shirley Wright of Gold Canyon, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Cora Chandler Cracknell and grandparents Annie and Charles Cracknell and Edith and Adelbert Chandler.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home with a reception to follow at his home.
Calling hours will be at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, with a Masonic Service to take place at 6:30 p.m. preceding the calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alliance Shrine Club for distribution to the Shriners Crippled Children's and Burn Hospital, P.O. Box 2626 Alliance, Ohio, 44601; the Alliance Kiwanis Club, c/o 12590 Beeson St. Alliance, Ohio 44601; or the Alliance Salvation Army, 57 W. Main St., Alliance, Ohio 44601.
Click to View Capt. Cracknell's Video Tribute
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