William Craig Davidson of Plainville, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at HCA HealthOne Swedish in Englewood, Colorado. He was born on September 1, 1947, to Walter Craig and Doris (Buckner) Davidson in Texas. He married Elizabeth “Betty” (Malin) on October 25, 1980 in Virginia.
Craig left home at the age of seventeen, beginning a life marked by curiosity, courage, and service. He attended universities in Colorado and in West Germany before his journey led him overseas – first as a student, then as a solider. He served in the U.S. Army, later working as a journalist in Europe and as a legal investigator in war-torn Vietnam. In Vietnam, he served as chief investigator for the American law firm defending soldiers in court-martial proceedings.
During an extended sojoun in Southeast Asia, he found both, in sanctuaries and disparate Catholic Churches and Buddhist Temples-seeking, as he often did a deeper spiritual understanding.
In 1980, Craig was commissioned as a Foreign Service Officer. He along with his wife, Elizabeth, went on to serve five tours at American embassies overseas before retiring from the U.S. Department of State in 2000. In 2004 Craig and Elizabeth retired and made their home in Plainville, Kansas.
Craig was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the author of Just Think: A Personal Journey to God Through Faith and Reason. He enjoyed reading, traveling the world, and living a life marked by simplicity and good taste.
Craig is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elizabeth “Betty” of Plainville, Kansas; Tara (Steve) Hazel of Sarajevo, Bosnia; Tyler Davidson of Colorado and many cherished friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, with burial following at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, with a Vigil and Rosary at 7:00 PM, all at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Church and School and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Street, Plainville, KS 67663.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
A Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM at the Church.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery
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