William “Bing” Grady
William (Bing) Grady passed away at the age of 89 on Feb. 9, 2022, from complications of COVID-19. Bing was born in Cambridge, MA to Mary V. Grady (Buckley) and William G. Grady on Nov. 22, 1932. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 60 years, Carmoline Grady, his parents and his younger brother Tom. He is survived by his wife, Kellie Green Grady; half-brother, Bob Hayden; sister-in-law Connie Ochsner; brother-in-law Michael Green; and several cousins. Bing wanted it said: “I have been blessed to know and love two incredible women in my life, Carmoline and Kellie. Together they made my journey all worthwhile.”
Bing graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Albuquerque in 1950 and UNM with a BBA in 1955. Shortly after his marriage to Carmoline in 1955, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After two years, he returned to UNM for an MA in Economics. In 1951, Bing began working at the Albuquerque National Bank as a mail boy. He worked there part-time while attending UNM and then full-time after receiving his MA. He was named VP of the bank in 1967 and President in 1977, the capacity in which he served until his retirement in 1992. Among the many awards he received were the UNM Economics Department Centennial Distinguished Alumni Award, the NM Spirit of Achievement Award, and the National Jewish Center Award. In 1992, he was entered into the Hall of Fame of the UNM Anderson School of Management.
His responsibilities at Albuquerque National Bank included a strong role in community affairs. He was Chairman of the New Mexico Bankers Association
(1988-1989), President of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the Albuquerque Economic Development Corporation, and President of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. He was appointed to the State of New Mexico Investment Council and the Governor’s Economic Advisory Council by the late Governor Bruce King. Senators Bingaman and Domenici appointed him the founding Chairman of New Mexico First. Bing loved watching all sports, but baseball was his true passion, the Boston Red Sox in particular. He also enjoyed golfing with his friends several days a week at Albuquerque Country Club.
Above all of Bing’s accomplishments were his kind spirit and great intellect. He was a voracious reader, and his dry wit served him well in many facets of his life.
JW “Bill” Craig
JW (Bill) Craig, age 94, of Albuquerque, passed away on Jan 21, 2022. He was a beloved dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Bill was born on Dec. 6, 1927, in Davenport, Iowa. He served in the Coast Guard and Air Force from 1945-to 1952 and was honorably discharged. During this time, he met the love of his life, Charlene Mullins. They were married for 55 wonderful years, until her death in June 2005. Bill had an extensive banking and finance career that began in 1949. He was an officer of First National Bank in Albuquerque from 1960 to 1970. He then joined Bank of New Mexico (which later became First Interstate Bank) and became President. In 1985, he became President of United New Mexico Bank, which became a part of Norwest Bank and later merged with Wells Fargo Bank. Bill served as Vice Chairman from 1990 to 2003.
Bill served as a board member and treasurer of the New Mexico Bankers Association and served on the board of the Western States School of Banking. He served as chairman of the Albuquerque Salvation Army, as an active member of the UNM Lobo Club and served as its President. He was active for many years on the board of Albuquerque Economic Development, where he served two terms as President and became a life member. He was a member of the Albuquerque Country Club since 1970 and served many years as a board member. Bill always tried to give back to Albuquerque as much as the city gave to him.
Bill is survived by his daughter Cindy Houston, son Frank Craig (Denise Craig), grandsons Matthew Houston (Jennifer Houston) and Reese Craig, granddaughter Caitlin Burt (Tyler Burt), great-grandsons Lincoln Craig Burt and Wells Cameron Burt, and great-granddaughters Scarlett Charlene Burt and Audrey Olivia Houston.
