William

Blue Springs-William (Bill) Baker Croft, 55, died Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at NMMC after a sudden illness. He was born in Kenosha, WI on March 23, 1955, to Lamar Croft and to Betty Thornton. He lived the majority of his life in the Saltillo and Blue Springs area. He attended Saltillo High School. He served in the United States Air Force. Fishing was his favorite past time and searching for all types of antiques. He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and worked as a carpenter throughout his life.

Services will be 2pm Saturday at the Saltillo Chapel of W.E. Pegues with Bro. Martin Jacks officiating. Burial will be in Camp Creek Cemetery.

Survivors include his mother and step-father, Betty and Gerald Thornton of Blue Springs; his son, Madison Allen Croft (Cathy) of Blue Springs; his daughter, Nancy Olivia Croft, currently serving in the United States Army in Afghanistan; two grandsons, Madison Allen Croft, Jr. and Matthew Lynn Croft of Blue Springs; five sisters, Leasha Segars of Saltillo, Sonja Nichols (Chad) of Blue Springs, Tonya Croft of Tupelo, Deanna Thornton of Blue Springs, and Tammy Thornton of Texas; four brothers, Wayne Baker of Plantersville, David Baker (Donna) of Guntown, Joel Baker of Tupelo, and Barry Baker of Blue Springs; a grandmother, Hazel Thornton of Blue Springs.

He was preceded in death by his father, his grandparents; Robert Putt of Mantachie, Ruby Nichols of Baldwyn, Bernice Jenkins of Tupelo, Austin and Eppie Baker of Saltillo, Raymond Thornton of Blue Springs.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 pm Friday at The Saltillo Chapel.