William E. "Bill" Cranfill

William E. (Bill) Cranfill, 83, of Louisville peacefully passed from this life on Tuesday April 20, 2010 at Treyton Oak Towers. Bill was a retired funeral director, embalmer and served as public relations director for Arch L Heady & Son Funeral Homes, a 60 year member of the Okolona Masonic Lodge #853, the Scottish Rite, Kosair Shrine Temple, and a devoted and long time member of Walnut Street Baptist Church. He served as President of the Louisville Jaycees (1961-62) and in 1962 was elected Sheriff of Jefferson County (1962-66). He was a past President of the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, Annis (nee Hall) and O. D. “Jack” Cranfill. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years the former Virginia (nee Sharp) Cranfill; a daughter Shira (nee Wood) Karns of Cincinnati, OH; and a son Charles C. Wood, Jr. (Peggy). He was grandfather to Kimberly Karns Sander (Jeff) and Emily Wood and great-grandfather to Olivia and Brett Sharp and Tayler, Tucker, Tessie and Torri Wood; also survived by a sister, Gloria (R.I.) Kerr and nieces Marylu Kerr Stewart (David) and Tina Kerr Kahl (John); and a special friend to both he and Jenny, Sharon Zaring Carr. A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday at Walnut Street Baptist Church, 1101 So. 3rd St. with interment to follow in Resthaven Memorial Park. Bill is resting at the Southern Home of Arch L. Heady & Son, 3601 Taylor Blvd. where friends may call from 2-8 pm Friday and after 11 am Saturday at the church. Memorial gifts may be made to Walnut Street Baptist Church Television Ministry. Online memorial @ www.archlheadysouthernfh.com.