Arthur William (Art) Cranker, 93, died November 9, 2015, in Murfreesboro, where he has been a resident since 1947. He was born on June 14, 1922, in Amsterdam, NY and is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, who died in January, 2014, Peggy Ann Westbrooks Cranker; his younger brother, Stanley A. Cranker; and his parents, Eva Andreas and William Cranker. He was raised and educated in Fultonville, NY, and spent much of his childhood in the home of his paternal grandparents, Cora Anderson and Arthur Cranker, who were resident owners of the Hotel Arthur. Art liked to reminisce about Fultonville, named for Robert Fulton because this site was as far north as he could go with his steamboat. Through his paternal grandmother, he was descended from the Mohawk of the Iroquois. His mother's ancestors, Thomas Rogers and Francis Cooke, arrived on the Mayflower. Thomas Rogers's great-grandfather, John Rogers, became a martyr at Smithfield, the first victim of the English Queen Mary Tudor's purge of those who differed from her religious beliefs. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mary Gray Cranker, of Warrensburg, NY; his aunt, Martha Capwell, of Hackettstown, NJ; his niece, Bonita C. Demarest, of Mashpee, MA; his nephews, William G. (Connie) Cranker of Hudson Falls, NY, and James S. (Joy) Cranker of Saranac Lake, NY; three great-nephews; four great-nieces; and cousins. He is also survived by Peggy's cousins, good neighbors and friends. Special thanks go to Dr. Allen Huong, MD, and his devoted caregiver, Mrs. Respy Robinson. Art was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. During WWII, he served four years in the Army Air Corps, mostly in North Africa, but also in Italy and France. He met Peggy at a dance when he was stationed at Sewart AFB in Smyrna and they married in 1947 at First Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. He was a small business owner in Murfreesboro and also a partner with his father-in-law, former Mayor W. H. Westbrooks, in the B&W Cigar and Cigarette Co., remaining with the company until his retirement in his 70s after its purchase by Phil Watts. He enjoyed traveling with Peggy; flower and vegetable gardening; playing the saxophone, leading his band( in high school), and dancing; investing; photography; his cats and dogs; and flying. Art's funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Woodfin Funeral Chapel, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 12 noon. Remarks will be made by Phil Watts. Bill Allen, a neighbor and friend, will conduct a prayer and Gayle K. Barrett will provide music. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, for whom Art had a great fondness because of their kindness to him during his military service, or to any provider of services to animals. An online guestbook is available at www.woodfinchapel.com Woodfin Memorial Chapel. 615-893-5151