INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Oct. 1, 2015) – Hoosiers will say goodbye to a longtime Indiana state representative who died last week.
Bill Crawford, who served for 40 years in the Indiana House, will lie in state Thursday at the Indiana Statehouse. Crawford was elected 20 times to represent the 98th District in Marion County. He died last week at the age of 79.
Crawford retired in 2012 and was the longest-serving African American state lawmaker in the country. He won his first seat in 1972. Known as a champion for education funding and equal rights, Crawford was the first African American to chair the House Ways and Means Committee.
Crawford will lie in state from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Statehouse Rotunda. Gov. Mike Pence will lay a wreath at noon.
Funeral services are Friday at Eastern Star Church, 5750 E. 30th St. The viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Crawford’s funeral will follow at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers donations in Crawford’s name can be made to the following: Martin University, IPS Foundation and the Vincennes University Bill Crawford Scholarship Fund.
