John Crayton

John (Bill) Herman Crayton, 87, of Flint, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Thursday November 17, 2022. John grew up in Asheville, North Carolina where he met and married his high school sweetheart. John served in the United States Army spending two years in Germany. In 1953, as the automotive industry was growing, John, his wife Shirley, his parents and in-laws all moved to Michigan and John began his 39 year career with General Motors.

A life long lover of music, John sang and played the guitar.  As a young teen he sang in a quartet.  His Freshman Year, while attending high school in Carriere, Mississippi, John sang ‘My Task’ at high school commencements.  He returned to Asheville, North Carolina and attended Oakley High School for the remainder of his high school years,  playing basketball, baseball, and participating in class council.  This is where he met his life love, Shirley Gregg, whom he married in July 1953.  John was a self taught Flat Top and Steel Guitar player.  In his late 20s/early 30s he joined a band and performed at local events.  Playing the Steel Guitar was one of John’s favorite hobbies.

John worked hard and cared well for his wife and five children. He had a plentiful garden every summer, and self-instructed and assembled the family's first colored television.

A deep faith in his Lord Jesus Christ carried John through the loss of his dear wife to cancer in 2014, the unexpected tragic loss of his daughter Sandi in 2017 and his grandson John in 2020, as well as his health decline over the past several years. He believed in his Savior and chose this verse to share:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

John is preceded in death by his parents Edgar Baxter and Mary Lucille (Moore) Crayton, his wife Shirley June (Gregg) Crayton,  his daughters Sandra Lynn (Crayton) MacDonald and Karen Jean Crayton, and his grandson John Clinton Crayton. He leaves behind his son Robert Michael Crayton, his daughters Carol Crayton Edwards (Gerald) and Terri Crayton Wiksten (Chris),  7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

A graveside burial service will be held at Flint Memorial Park on Monday, December 26th at 11am. A celebration of life reception will follow. In -lieu of flowers, please send donations to Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements are being handled by Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Rd., Grand Blanc. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

The family would like to thank staff at Abbey Park and Brookdale Assisted Living Facilities and the Medical Team Hospice for the loving care provided over the past three years.