William "Bill" Ray Edwards Sr.

Mr. William "Bill" Ray Edwards, age 78, of Crawfordsville, In. passed away at his home on Saturday August 20, 2011 at 7L45 pm.

Born on June 8, 1933 at Indianapolis, In. he was the son of William Arthur Edwards and Anna Lucille Bayliss Edwards. He Graduated from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis and served his country in the US Army from May 1953 until May 1955 stationed in Germany. He first married Marilynn F. Phillips on august 2, 1952 and they later divorced. He then married Marsha Ledyard on December 6, 2004 and she survives him. He is also survived by 3 sons: William "Billy" R. Edwards Jr. and wife Tammy of Crawfordsville, In.; Artie Edwards and wife Kathy of Lebanon and Joey Edwards of Hillsboro, In. Sisters: Velma Fisher of Martinsville, In. and Charlene Daum and husband Bud of Plainfield, In. 5 grandchildren, 4 Step Grandchildren, 4 Great grandchildren and 11 Step Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters: Kathleen Rupe and Ilene Stewart and his adopted son Danny Smith.

After returning from the service Mr. Edwards worked as a truck driver in Indianapolis until 1960 when he moved to Whitestown, In. and took up farming. In 1975 he moved to Crafordsville, In.and started the Edwards Equipment Sales Co. An avid horseman he was a 53 year member of the Horse Pulling Associations of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. He was also a Member of the Wallace Masonic Lodge #495 and the American Legion Post #72 of Crawwfordsville, In.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday August 24, 2011 at Shoemaker Funeral Home, Waynetown, In. Officated by Pastor Curtis Brouwer. Burial will be at the Freedom Baptist Cemetery southwest of Crawfordsville, In. with military honors. The family will receive friends on Tuesday August 23rd from 3:00 pm until 8:00pm. Masonic rites will be held at 8:00 pm.