William Jeffrey Crafts

It is with extreme heartbreak that we mark the passing of William Jeffrey Crafts who left this life at the age of 17 on December 2, 2020.  He is survived by his parents, Sean and Christa, siblings Claire, Audrey, Bridget, Wyatt and Sydney, grandparents Wayne and Patricia Purcell, Jeffrey and Colleen Crafts, along with a host of close extended family members on both sides of his lineage. He left us too soon.

William was an outstanding student at both the Parish School of St. Edward the Confessor and later at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. He earned awards in Academic Decathlon competition both at the local and state levels.

A competitive athlete, he played both basketball and golf at a school regularly vying for state honors. At the age of 16 he would amaze family and opponents with drives in excess of 320 yards. William balanced his athletic activities as a magical violinist playing in local concerts as well as for the high school orchestra. Throughout his life he could listen to any manner of a musical piece whether classical or popular and then play that piece by ear on either piano, violin or guitar.

Fascinated with history, fantasy football, Duke Basketball and the Lakers, Will also reveled in the outdoors. He loved hiking, camping and boating with his family along with fly fishing or catching all manner of small animals or reptiles. He would hold any small creature for only a moment as if to connect and then set it free.

William expressed his spirituality and relationship with God in numerous ways. His empathy for friends and acquaintances was beyond his years. Since his death, many have relayed stories of how William helped touched them in ways he kept quiet and personal. He was beloved, adored, respected and is now sorely missed.

Private memorial services are to be followed with interment at Ascension Cemetery in Orange County, CA. The family gives its deepest thanks to the thousands of those offering their prayers and especially those who have worked so hard to arrange the memorial services. For those wishing to make a donation in lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would suggest considering https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-william-crafts-memorial-fund .