Clifford Melvin Cragg

Age 85 of Festus, Missouri and a former resident of Wilmington, Illinois died May 19, 2023 at his home surrounded by family.

Born October 29, 1937 in Coffeen, Illinois, Clifford Melvin was a son of Martha (Chumley) and Warden Cragg. He moved to Wilmington as a young child when his parents went to work for the Joliet Ammunition Plant. As a child, Cliff excelled in football, baseball, basketball and track, and went on to graduate with the Wilmington High School Class of 1956. Cliff married the love of his life, Billie Strong in 1958, and together they raised two children, Vicki and Tim. After the kids were grown, Cliff and Billie moved to Florida, and later Arab, Alabama before settling in Festus, Missouri.

Cliff was employed as an electrician and worked for Mobil Oil before moving to Florida where he went to work as an electrical supervisor for a power plant. While living in Wilmington, he coached baseball and Bobcat Football, and served as a board member for youth baseball, as well as Little League. Cliff was Worshipful Master (1980) of the A.F. & A.M. Wilmington Lodge and belonged to the Scottish Rite and Shriners.  Throughout his life, Cliff enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping, and following his retirement picked up the hobby of painting.

Cliff is survived by his wife of 65 years, Billie; two children: Vicki and Mike Vaughn of Crystal City, Missouri and Tim and Sue (Brooks) Cragg of Wilmington; Grandchildren, Jennifer (Peter) Manso and Curt (Amy) Brooks of Festus, and Kyle, Josh and Kalee Cragg, all of Wilmington; great grandchildren: Kayla Underwood, Abby, Jaelyn, & Lexi Brooks, Malachi Manso, and Kaden Cragg; one sister Nancy Nelson of Wilmington; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Randy (Donna) Strong of Joliet, Illinois, Roy Strong of Wilmington, Lyla (John) Girsch of Chillicothe, Illinois, Virginia (Jim) Penrod of Virginia, and Sara Jane Weilmienster of Decatur, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Warden "Rusty" Cragg; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Grace Strong, and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Gene Strong, Edward Strong and Bob (Linda) Strong.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

Family and friends are welcome to gather at the Wilmington Masonic Lodge, 311 North Main Street in Wilmington, Illinois on Thursday, July 20, 2023 for full Masonic Rites, which will be conducted at 11:00 a.m.

A private inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington, Illinois.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Cliff’s memory to the Wilmington School District Foundation for Excellence, 209 Wildcat Drive, Wilmington, IL 60481 .  

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Cliff’s memorial page online through social media.

Cremation services have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)