SOUTHPORT — William Wesley “Bill” Gray Sr., 88, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, at his home. Bill was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Avon to the late Dorthor James Gray and Pecola Price Gray.
He retired from the U.S. Coast Guard as a chief boatswains mate, from the U.S. Postal Service and had worked at Walmart in Southport. Mr. Gray joined the Pythagoras Lodge in 1975, where he was a 32nd degree Mason, he was also a Shriner. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ella Mae “Tea” Gore Gray.
Survivors include his daughter, Linda Gray Ratcliffe of Castle Hayne; son, Bill Gray Jr., and his wife, Angela Greene Gray, of Mooresville; grandson, Donald Owen Ratcliffe Jr., and his wife, Jessica Cost Ratcliffe; step-granddaughter, Alexandria Payne; two great-grandchildren, Owen Timothy Ratcliffe and Reese Michelle Ratcliffe; and special friend, Dorothy Bolduc.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 29, at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral Home Chapel. The family receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service in Northwood Cemetery. A reception will follow the service at the Pythagoras Lodge.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Home For Children at Oxford, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565; or Shriners Hospitals for Children-Greenville, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.
Share online condolences with the family at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service.
