William C. Crane

Duane's take

The official marker tells it this way, and I'm just the one passin' it along. Now, if you want a life spent in service, I mean real service, the kind that doesn't ask what's in it for you, you look to a man like William C. Crane.

He came into this world in Richmond, Virginia, on March 17, 1816. And from what the record shows, he never really stopped movin, never stopped workin, never stopped pourin himself into something bigger than himself. Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas.

He gave his life, and I do mean his life, to the cause of education and religion across all of them. State after state, and the work kept callin. Texas is where the story settles.

He became president of Baylor University in 1863, and he held that post all the way to 1885. That's the arc of a man who understood commitment. He died in Independence, Texas, on February 27, 1885.

But here's where the story takes one more turn. His remains had been resting in Washington County, and then the State of Texas stepped in. On February 26, 1937, Dr.

Crane was reinterred in this cemetery. The state brought him here. Gave him a proper place to rest among the people and the ground he'd served.

Some men build buildings. William C. Crane built something harder to see and a whole lot harder to replace.

And Texas made sure he wasn't forgotten.

What the marker says

Born In Richmond Va. March 17, 1816. Died in Independence Tex. Feb. 27, 1885. He gave his life to the cause of education and religion in Ga. Ala. Miss. La. and Texas. The remains of Dr. Crane were removed from Washington County and on February 26, 1937 Reinterred in this cemetery by the State of Texas [Footstone] President Baylor University 1863 - 1885