1
tree
planted in memory of Mayor James Wiley Craft
Obituary for Mayor James Wiley Craft
Mayor James Wiley Craft, son of the late Commodore Craft and Gertrude Hunsucker was born at Thornton, Kentucky on June 13, 1945. He entered eternal life on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky being 76 years and 16 days of age at the time of his passing.
James married Tiffany King on August 28, 2010 at Riverside Park in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
James was a 1963 graduate of Whitesburg High School, 1967 graduate of Pikeville College and 1970 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law. He returned to Letcher County where he practiced law some fifty plus years. James held many titles such as Public Defender, Assistant Letcher County Attorney, Letcher County Attorney, Letcher County Commonwealth Attorney, Letcher County School Board Attorney, Attorney for the City of Whitesburg and City of Jenkins and, finally, Mayor of Whitesburg. He earned a reputation as a tough-nosed prosecutor serving on the famous Acker murder case. He loves his state, county and city and served them well.
He is survived by his wife, Tiffany Craft of Whitesburg, Kentucky. Son, James Wiley (Kim) Craft II of Eolia, Kentucky. Two daughters; Sammi Lauren Craft of Whitesburg, Kentucky and Rebecca (Scott) Webster of London, Kentucky. Brother, Commodore (Rick) Craft Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. Sister, Wyona Gossett of Liberty Township, Ohio. Father and Mother-in-Law; John and Reda King of Cromona, Kentucky. Brother-in-law, Tyler (Brooke) King of Hazard. Sister-in-law, Nina Craft of Whitesburg, Kentucky. Three Grandchildren; Rebecca Cook, James Wiley Craft III, and Lincoln Webster. Two Great-Grandchildren; Rhiannon and Rosanna Cook.
Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by three brothers; Burt Craft, Archie Craft and Edward Craft.
James Wiley was a friend to all and will be missed but never forgotten, especially by his family.
Read More
James married Tiffany King on August 28, 2010 at Riverside Park in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
James was a 1963 graduate of Whitesburg High School, 1967 graduate of Pikeville College and 1970 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law. He returned to Letcher County where he practiced law some fifty plus years. James held many titles such as Public Defender, Assistant Letcher County Attorney, Letcher County Attorney, Letcher County Commonwealth Attorney, Letcher County School Board Attorney, Attorney for the City of Whitesburg and City of Jenkins and, finally, Mayor of Whitesburg. He earned a reputation as a tough-nosed prosecutor serving on the famous Acker murder case. He loves his state, county and city and served them well.
He is survived by his wife, Tiffany Craft of Whitesburg, Kentucky. Son, James Wiley (Kim) Craft II of Eolia, Kentucky. Two daughters; Sammi Lauren Craft of Whitesburg, Kentucky and Rebecca (Scott) Webster of London, Kentucky. Brother, Commodore (Rick) Craft Jr. of Chicago, Illinois. Sister, Wyona Gossett of Liberty Township, Ohio. Father and Mother-in-Law; John and Reda King of Cromona, Kentucky. Brother-in-law, Tyler (Brooke) King of Hazard. Sister-in-law, Nina Craft of Whitesburg, Kentucky. Three Grandchildren; Rebecca Cook, James Wiley Craft III, and Lincoln Webster. Two Great-Grandchildren; Rhiannon and Rosanna Cook.
Along with his parents, James was preceded in death by three brothers; Burt Craft, Archie Craft and Edward Craft.
James Wiley was a friend to all and will be missed but never forgotten, especially by his family.
To plant a tree in memory of Mayor James Wiley Craft, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
1
Jul
6:00 PM
- 9:00 PM
Letcher County Central High School
Ermine, KY
Service
Friday
2
Jul
1:00 PM
Letcher County Central High School
Ermine, KY
Cemetery Details
Location
Thornton Cemetery
Thornton, KY
Loading...
