Obituary of Billy E. Kraft

Billy E. Kraft, age 86, of The Villages, Florida passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018 at home while under the care of hospice.

He was a proud veteran of 30+ years.  Initially drafted during the Korean War; during the Vietnam campaign he served 2 one year tours as a heavy equipment maintenance officer.  His duty stations included; Okinawa, The US Territory of Hawaii, Camp Century, Greenland (Nuclear Power Operator/Supervisor were he receive an overdose of radiation disassembling of the nuclear reactor) and numerous positions around the United States and Alaska.  After his retirement he was employed by Prince William County as their Fleet Maintenance Supervisor and then working for The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission as their Fleet Manager before moving to The Villages in 1997 were he was fondly known as Santa during the Christmas festivals in and around The Villages and being the organizer of the non-profit “Special Kids, Inc.” outing (twice a year) for special needs children in the tri-county area. 

Survivors include his wife Marian Kraft; sons Scott Kraft (Carol), Stanley Kraft (Vickie) and Stewart Kraft (Maryanne); Grandchildren, Jenny Hicks, David Ferguson and Sarah Strodtbeck; Great Grandchildren, Kylan Ferguson, Riley Strodtbeck and Liam Strodtbeck;  Brother Ron David (Doris) and Sister Gail Neblett (Jim)

He is preceded in death by his parents Clara and Earl Kraft and sister Doris Cooper.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 from 2-5 pm, located at, Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 1511 Buenos Aires Blvd., The Villages, FL. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 20, 2019 at 10 am, located at North Lake Presbyterian Church, 975 Rolling Acres Rd, Lady Lake, FL. A committal with military honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his memory to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation: https://web.cshospice.org/foundation/giving/

Online condolences may be sent at hiers-baxley.com. Arrangements under the care of Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, The Villages.