Craig A. Willaby

TAMA — Craig Allan Willaby, 63, of Tama passed away Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastor Thomas Dowling officiating. A memorial visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Craig was born on Aug. 2, 1948, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the son of Irven and Kathryn (McGrew) Willaby. He graduated from South Tama High School in 1966. Craig was a live games dealer at the Meskwaki Casino for 17 years. He also worked at the Times Republican in Marshalltown.

On Aug. 6, 2001, he married Kristine Butterfield in Tama, Iowa. Craig enjoyed golfing and watching sports, especially the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Boston Celtics. He also enjoyed being with people, socializing and telling jokes.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister, Charyn Dawn Willaby; and his step-son, Daniel Butterfield.

Survivors include his wife, Kristine Butterfield of Tama; three daughters, Katheryn McBurney, Kristin (Steven) Huyser and Kallie Willaby, all of Newton; a step-son, Matthew Butterfield of Waterloo; two grandchildren, Emma Hendricksen and Roman McBurney; his siblings, Cheryl (Dave) McClurg of Newton, Joel (Mary) Willaby of Chelsea and Kevin (Charlene) Willaby of Toledo; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial fund has been established.