Willard Emuel "Tony" Craft Jr., age 75 of Galveston, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, November 3, 2019 at Jennie Sealy Hospital. Graveside services are 10am Friday, November 8, 2019 at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock, TX, under the direction of Carnes Brothers Funeral Home, Reverend Ray Pinard officiating.

Tony was born August 1, 1944 in Galveston to Willard Emuel Craft, Sr. and Gladys Rae Craft, and graduated from Galveston Ball High in 1961. Tony served two years in the United States Navy from 1967-1969, earning a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea). Tony served on the U.S.S. DUNCAN while in the Navy, and upon his honorable release from Active Duty, returned home to Galveston where he spent his remaining days in the same house with his parents, and the same home that he grew up in.

Tony played basketball briefly in high school, but his true love was the game of baseball. Tony spent his summers on little league and pony-colt teams since he learned how to hold a bat. Tony became an all-star from his time as a pitcher, shortstop and third-baseman, earning accolades from his strong arm by throwing shutouts and no-hitters against opposing teams. His love of the game continued into his later life, and he truly enjoyed talking baseball with anyone that would spend a few minutes picking his brain. He loved his Astros and rejoiced when they won the World Series, but he really loved watching the Little League World Series every year.

Preceded in death by his parents, survivors include his Aunt Mary Campo in Livingston, cousins Robert David Campo and wife Karee of Texas City; Stephen Campo and wife Melanie of Atascocita; and numerous other relatives and close friends.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. And he said unto me, they are come to pass. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.