Walter Gluyas Craven died peacefully on April 21, 2022. He was born June 26, 1934, in Huntersville, North Carolina, the son of Dr. Thomas Craven and Mildred Smith Craven.
Walter was a graduate of Oakridge Military Academy and Davidson College. After graduation, he attended Officers Candidate School at the Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. He served on the USS Ingraham as a Gunnery Officer. After his military service Walter attended Duke University and received his master’s degree in Hospital Administration. It was during this time that he met his wife, Anne. They were married at Duke Chapel, and moved to Wilmington, NC in 1961.
Walter was the Hospital Administrator at Babies Hospital. He and Anne fell in love with Wilmington and decided this was where they wanted to live permanently. He changed careers and bought Jacobi Hardware and worked there until his retirement.
He continued his love of the ocean through sailing. He and Anne spent countless hours ocean racing as well as cruising the coast of North Carolina and the Bahamas. Walter was a member of North State Game Club in Council, NC. He treasured his many friends with whom he spent time sailing, hunting and golfing.
He loved his family dearly and is survived by his daughter, Mary Anne Craven Moldenhauer and her husband, Brian James Moldenhauer of Charlotte, and son Walter Bennett Craven and wife Pam Simmons Craven of Wilmington, four grandsons, Henry and John Moldenhauer of Charlotte, and Nolan and Tom Craven of Wilmington. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Tom Craven and wife Evelyn, brother-in-law Henry Jordan and wife Dyeann, Tom Jordan and wife Lillian, sister-in-law Nancy Jordan and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held Sunday, April 24th at 2pm at First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC. Family will receive in the Gathering Room immediately following the service. There will be a private burial at Oakdale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in Walter’s name to First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 or Lower Cape Fear Life Care, 1406 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.