Mr. Joseph Willard "J.W." Crawford age 78 of Sampson City passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. He was born May 12, 1946, in Lawtey to Harold and Gertie (Crews) Crawford and graduated in 1966 from Bradford High School. After graduation he spent two years in the Army, with one of those years as a medic in the Army's 9th Infantry in the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge, he continued to serve his country in the Airborne Division of the Army National Guard. In 1968 JW began his career with the Florida Department of Corrections. He retired from Reception and Medical Center in 2003 as an Office Automation Analyst after 35 years of dedicated service. JW and his wife Sandra were charter members of Sampson City Church of God where he volunteered countless hours, maintaining the grounds, playing his guitar, singing, and teaching the adult Sunday school class. In his younger years he was passionate about hang-gliding. He and his friends would travel throughout the southern states and spend countless hours flying. He loved the feeling of soaring through the skies like the eagles he loved so dear. JW also enjoyed riding his motorcycle; running, and as he matured in age, he liked golfing and fishing with his close friends, his son, son-in-law, and grandchildren which became his newest passion. His coworkers could always tell when JW was close by from the jingling of keys in his pocket or from him whistling a song that no one seemed to know. JW was a cancer survivor, but dont think for one second that cancer slowed him down from helping others. He would quickly load up his tools to help families repair or build their homes. JW would bring automobiles to his home for maintenance to ensure they had reliable transportation and even mow the occasional lawn for someone who was unable to do it for themselves. He did all of this out of his love for others with no expectation of compensation. In fact, the gesture of such was insulting. He was a Helper. JW was "The Helper", and he would have it no other way. In addition to his parents, JW, or as they called him, "Willard" was preceded in death by his brothers Mitchell Crawford and Tim Crawford and his sister Wana Crawford. "Uncle Willard" was also preceded in death by his nephews Benjy Bass, Ken Crawford, and his niece Tina McCarver. Left behind to cherish his legacy is his high school sweetheart, wife of 56 wonderful years, and the love of his life who he cherished so dearly, Sandra (Coleman) Crawford. Their children, Dyana Jo Stewart (Barry), Misty Davis (Brian), and Christopher Crawford (Brandi). He was lovingly called "Pa" by his grandchildren Jessika Hall (Hayden), Jeffrey Prevatt (Heather), Christian Crawford, Michael Davis, Caleb Crawford, and Breanna Jo Crawford as well as his two great grandchildren Brayden Hall and Emerson Crawford. Also left behind is a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and additional family members and friends that will miss him dearly. Funeral services for JW will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Sampson City Church of God with Brother Gene Bass officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org or Corrections Foundation, https://www.correctionsfoundation.org/memorial-donation/ . Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 620 East Nona Street, Starke, FL 32091. (904) 964-6200. www.jonesgallagherfh.com Viewing Saturday, April 26, 2025 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Sampson City Church of God 8252 SW County Road 225 Starke FL 32091 US Funeral Service Saturday, April 26, 2025 3:00 PM - Sampson City Church of God 8252 SW County Road 225 Starke FL 32091 US Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL - 32656 US (352) 473-3176