Standardbred breeder/owner William C. Kraner, 79, passed away on Thursday, March 9 at the William C. Kraner Heart Center, Grant Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
He was born March 29, 1937, in Columbus to the late Fred and Marie Kraner. Kraner was a very generous and caring husband, father, papa, and friend. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis (Cropper) Kraner; daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Abraham Godinez; granddaughters, Chloe Godinez and Courtney Godinez; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sheryl L., Esq. and sister, Joann Griffith.
Kraner was a United States Navy veteran and trained as a journalist during his enlistment. He received a degree in International Business from Capital University and throughout his professional career developed 13 companies that he owned and operated. As an entrepreneur, Kraner started the first employer funded daycare at Ohio Plastics and served on the Board of Trustees for Miami University and Capital University. In 1993, he was named the Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year.
Kraner was co-founder of the Welsh Hills School in Granville.
Following the death of his daughter, he was instrumental in the creation of the Sheryl L. Kraner Behavioral Health Campus in Newark, Ohio, and became the driving force behind the creation of the State of Ohio license plate dedicated to Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
He enjoyed the serenity of nature, and over the years he developed a passion for photography, sculpting, and western art. He was an avid Ford car enthusiast and car collector. He was an accomplished pilot and enjoyed flying his Bell Ranger helicopter and Gulfstream airplane.
He also had a great love for horses, being an owner and breeder of Standardbreds, and later become a trustee of the Little Brown Jug.
His love of the outdoors was evidenced by many of his photographs and led to the funding of the William C. Kraner Nature Center.
He was in the middle of writing his memoirs upon his passing. He will be greatly missed.
Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday (March 15) at the Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna. A funeral service celebrating his life will follow at 7 p.m. with Reverend Kevin Heckathorn officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Support Community Central Ohio, c/o Sheryl L. Kraner, Ovarian Cancer Fund, 1200 Old Henderson Rd., Columbus, OH 43220 or the Ohio Foundation William C. Kraner Heart Center, 180 E. Broad St., 31st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of William Kraner.
(USTA)