President Jim Shaeffer Comments on the Loss of the Popular Artist

Your Eastern Shore Community College and the entire Eastern Shore lost a great friend this week with the passing of Willie Crockett.  Willie contributed a great deal to our college.  He taught art courses at the college throughout the years and contributed a classic Willie Crockett mural of an Eastern Shore scene that he painted in the old Academic Building. The mural was carefully moved and is now on display in our new Academic building.  It occupies a prominent space on the first floor for all who visit the college to enjoy.

My great regret is the short time that I had an opportunity to get to know Willie.  Of the time I had, I will always be appreciative of the great stories he would tell about the Eastern Shore.  My favorite memory is when Willie joined us at the 2020 Heritage Festival and I was able to share with him where he had placed his mural in the new building.  He shared with me his memory of painting the mural, which he said came together more quickly than I would have ever imagined.

We thank Willie for all he has done for ESCC and the Eastern Shore, and we extend our sincere sympathy to his family.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Dr. Jim Shaeffer
President, Eastern Shore Community College