Chester "Briss" Craig

Chester Eugene “Briss” Craig, ‘The Good Soldier’, passed away at Delaware Court Health Care Center, June 5, 2022, 10 days after celebrating his 93rd birthday. Briss was admired and adored by many people who had come to know him through life, adventures, and business. Born May 26, 1929 in Delaware, Ohio to William and Ellen Craig, he was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Frank B. Willis Class of 1947 and was the first black student body president in the school’s history. He lettered in basketball and football and also played tennis. After high school, he enrolled at the Ohio State University for two years, during which time he became a feather flyweight boxer as a means to pay his tuition. His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the US Army where he was selected as a candidate for Officers Training School. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Briss led a committee responsible for integrating the Delaware City pool then located at the fairgrounds. He also attended the historic March on Washington DC. He owned and operated the Liberty Club Bar which was very popular with the Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) students, many of whom became lifelong friends. He was a sales representative for Bausch & Lomb and retired as a Private Investigator for the Ohio Attorney General’s office. After retirement, Briss moved to Buckeye Lake where he opened a boat rental business which he ran for several summers. Being the lifelong learner that he was, he enrolled again at OSU at age 72. While there, he wrote his military memoir titled ‘The Good Soldier’ which was published at the Ohio State University Newark branch. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling to his favorite places such as Key West, Spain, Germany, and France. His other interests included listening to jazz music, reading, and entertaining family and friends. Preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Theda Watkins and Betty Williams; brother, Collins “Bud” Craig; nieces, Eljean Bridges, Donna Prude, and Cheri Herrell; great nieces, Sara Bohanna-Williams and Britton Herrell-Stanley. He leaves to mourn his passing daughter, Kathy Reynolds, San Diego, California; sister, Ruth Wilson, Delaware, Ohio; also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and special friends.