Longtime California Legislator William Craven Dies

William A. Craven, an Oceanside Republican who spent a quarter of a century in the California Legislature, has died at the age of 78.

Craven, who represented a coastal section of Southern California until term limits forced him from office last year, died Sunday at a Carlsbad nursing home. Memorial services are set for noon Saturday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Carlsbad.

The crowning achievement of his career in the Legislature was the creation of Cal State San Marcos, which opened in 1989.

A moderate Republican, Craven was an advocate for mobile home park residents, many of whom are elderly and live on fixed incomes. He served as chairman of a Senate committee devoted to mobile home issues and introduced dozens of bills supporting mobile home residents.

He was born in Philadelphia and during World War II served with the Marines in the South Pacific. He was part of the battalion that raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. He also served during the Korean War, retiring as a major.

After he left the service he worked at a number of jobs, including salesman, advertising copywriter and radio broadcaster.

He spent 12 years on the Oceanside Planning Commission, and was elected to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in 1970.

In 1973, Craven was elected to the state Assembly. Five years later, he successfully ran for the state Senate.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mimi, and three children.