TAMA-Craig Allan Willaby, 63, of Tama, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Thomas Dowling officiating. A Memorial Visitation will be held Saturday, February 25, 2012 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.
Craig was born on August 2, 1948 in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the son of Irven and Kathryn (McGrew) Willaby.
He graduated from South Tama High School in 1966. Craig was a live games dealer at the Meskwaki Casino for seventeen years. He also worked at the Times Republican in Marshalltown.
On August 6, 2001, he married Kristine Butterfield in Tama, Iowa. Craig enjoyed golfing and watching sports, especially the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Boston Celtics. He also enjoyed being with people, socializing and telling jokes.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister, Charyn Dawn Willaby; and his step-son, Daniel Butterfield.
Survivors include his wife Kristine Butterfield of Tama; three daughters, Katheryn McBurney, Kristin (Steven) Huyser, and Kallie Willaby all of Newton; a step-son, Matthew Butterfield of Waterloo; two grandchildren, Emma Hendricksen and Roman McBurney; his siblings, Cheryl (Dave) McClurg of Newton, Joel (Mary) Willaby of Chelsea, and Kevin (Charlene) Willaby of Toledo; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial fund has been established.