Ben Crawley

Benjamin Vick Crawley, 62, of Wilson, went to be with his Lord on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

A celebration of life service will be at 2 PM on Monday, September 15, in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Wilson, the Rev. Dr. Chris Thomas officiating. Visitation with the family will be 1-1:45 PM, in the Fellowship Hall of the church (off Daniel Street). After the service, the family will gather graveside at Evergreen Memorial Park on Nash Street, Wilson.

After graduation day at Fike High School in 1982, Ben was employed 32 years in Wilson grocery stores. Upon medical retirement, he increased his service time in the community: five years as weekly Food Pantry volunteer at Hope Station, several years helping with the First Baptist Church team who pack CHEW food bags for local children, plus several other mission activities within that church. He used his talented voice with Hope Singers and was once the solo vocalist at a concert at First Presbyterian Church, along with several opportunities to entertain seniors of his church and others.

Ben enjoyed fishing, gardening, using his John Deere tractor/mower to take care of his family’s large lawns as well as clearing storm-debris from neighbors’ property and also visiting area farms to check the seasonal progress of agri-businesses. An outgoing man, he welcomed times to talk with everyone around, whether city mayor or utility line crew trainee, young or old. At home, Ben put together complex jigsaw puzzles in his solo time; watched college and high school sports on television if not at the stadium; kept up with the Wilson City Council meetings, electronically in retirement but often in person in prior years. Other gifts included his extraordinary ability to hear sounds usually missed by others and to recall details accurately for years after events. His friends and family often counted on his talents and his good company.

He was preceded in death by his father, George Edward Crawley, Jr., and his brother, George Edward Crawley III, M.D.

He is survived by his mother Mary Ruth Crawley and his sister Anne Jackson Crawley as well as his sister-in-law Lisa (Crawley) Smith and her husband David; and his four dear nieces (Sydney and her husband Taylor Pilgrim; Mary Ellen Crawley; Virginia Crawley; Caroline Crawley). He also cared for grandnephews Max and Mason Pilgrim and grandniece Nora Pilgrim. Ben’s family includes numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who were very important to him.

The Crawley family would like to express their appreciation for the fine medical care for Ben provided by Gentiva nurses in the last week of his life.

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1467, Wilson, NC 27894 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Drive N, Wilson, 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com