WILLIAM GLEA GRAY JR.'s Obituary
Perry, Georgia –
William Glea “Billy” Gray, Jr., age 91, passed away on March 23, 2023. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Perry United Methodist Church with Rev. Tommy Perkins and Rev. Roland Fall officiating. Visitation will be at the Church at 1:00 p.m., one hour before the service. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Perry. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Perry United Methodist Church Family Life Center Building Fund, 1002 Carroll Street, Perry, GA 31069.
Mr. Gray was born in Perry, Georgia, to the late William Glea Gray, Sr. and Willie Mae Bryant Gray of Perry. After graduating from Perry High School where he played basketball for the legendary Coach Eric Staples and was a two-time all-state player, Mr. Gray attended the University of Georgia on a basketball and track scholarship, but left shortly thereafter, along with several of his buddies, to join the Air Force during the Korean conflict. Mr. Gray was particularly proud of his 4 years of service in the United States Air Force. He spent the last year of his service at Darmstadt, Germany, as a member of World War II occupation forces and in support of top-secret Cold War activities. Upon his return stateside, he worked in Civil Service. Mr. Gray retired from Robins Air Force Base after 32 years, and for the last 15 years worked as a Supervisory Production Management Specialist in support of the F-15 Contract Maintenance Program.
Mr. Gray was a member of Perry United Methodist Church for more than 75 years and was a charter member of the IHS Sunday School class. He served on the Administrative Board and the Board of Trustees, including 2 years as Secretary of the Board. He was also chairman of the Parsonage Committee for several years. Mr. Gray was a member of Houston Lodge #35 for more than 50 years serving at all stations including Worshipful Master.
Mr. Gray was predeceased by his parents and a younger brother, David G. Gray, of Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Gray was foremost a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Bryant Gray of Unadilla, Georgia; a son, Michael G. Gray of Perry, Georgia; and his daughter, Robyn Gray Beene (Mitchell) of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is also the proud “Papa” of granddaughters, Abigail Gray Vaughan (Leif) of Douglasville, Georgia, and Anna Kimberly Gray of Athens, Georgia; great-grandsons, Grayson Seyfred and Bryant Vaughan; and a bonus great-grandson, Luke Vaughan, all of Douglasville.
Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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