William Craig Sutphin, resident of North Platte, Nebraska, went home to be with the Lord on December 29, 2023 at the age of 89 years old.
Mr. Sutphin was born on January 8, 1934 in Beckley, West Virginia. He was the identical twin son of James Clyde Sutphin and Grace Ann (Quesenberry) Sutphin.
After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley in 1951 he entered the U.S. Army and served from 1953 to 1956 during the Korean War. He was married on September 26, 1953 to his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Sue Wassum at the family home on Park Avenue in Beckley, and together they had four children. Following his initial discharge, he then decided to return to the U.S. military and re-enlisted in the U.S. Army and served all over the country and overseas as an air defense missile assembly technician and instructor. He received several decorations and medals including the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and 2nd Class Missileman Badge. He graduated in 1973 from the University of NE at Omaha with a master’s degree. Upon his discharge in 1981 he went to work with Ericsson Inc as an instructor, writing training manuals and teaching classes, until his retirement in 1997. Craig enjoyed playing golf in his spare time with his Army colleagues and friends. He and Sue enjoyed retirement living in Allen, TX outside the Dallas-Ft. Worth area for several years. He was a faithful and devoted Christian who loved and served the Lord. He served in various church prison ministries, was a church Deacon, and went on several mission trips to South America spreading and working for the Gospel. Craig was happiest at home surrounded by his loving family and was known affectionately by his 21 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren as “Poppie”.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Grace; son, David Craig Sutphin; granddaughter, Heather; great grandchildren, Craig, Hallelujah, and Hossanna; and a grandson in-law, Will Lewis.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Eleanor Sue Sutphin; sons, Mark Edward (Cindy) Sutphin of North Platte, and Stephen Brian (Kelly) Sutphin of Allen, TX; daughter, Sally Leigh (Steve) Jones of Marco Island, FL; 21 grandchildren; 52 great grandchildren; twin brother, James Clyde Sutphin, Jr. of Daniels, W. VA; and several nephews and nieces. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
A celebration of Craig’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Grace Community Bible Church in North Platte with Pastor Mike Wing officiating. Inurnment in the columbarium wall with military honors will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Memorials are suggested to be made to Gideons International (gideons.org).
Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.