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Willie R. Gray “Bill”

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 8:35 AM

By Holly Stover

Willie R. Gray “Bill”, 80, of Gainesville, Missouri

Funeral services for Willie R. Gray “Bill”, 80, of Gainesville, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 2PM, The River, Pastor Paul Michel officiating. Burial will follow at the Snapp Cemetery, Forsyth. Military honors will be provided by the United States Air Force team, and Branson Veterans of America #413. Mr.  Gray entered into rest on Sat. Nov. 25, 2023, at his home in Gainesville with his family surrounding him.

Bill was born Aug. 20,1943, in rural Douglas County near Cold Springs, Mo.  He was the son of Raymond and Lala (Sweeton) Gray. Bill graduated from Norwood High School, Norwood, Mo. and furthered his education at Drury College in Springfield, Mo.

He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965.   Bill married the love of his life on Aug. 20, 1965, at Cold Springs, Mo., Patsy Rhodes.  They had celebrated fifty-eight years together this past fall.  To this union they were blessed with two sons. Bill started working for the state of Missouri Conservation Department from 1972 till 1979 when he became the Taney County Game Warden which he worked from 1979 till 2000 when he retired.

Bill’s hobby was anything in the outdoors and he was an accomplished marksman.   He was a member of the River, in Forsyth.  Bill’s prime interest was his family, his sons, grandchildren but most importantly his wife.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Harley and Steven and a sister Mary Gray

Bill is survived by his loving wife Pat of the home; two sons Patrick Gray (Mandy) of Forsyth; Michael Gray (Aubrey) of Sebastin, Fla.; one brother Doyle Gray (Coleen) of Springfield, Mo.; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

 

Visitation will be Tuesday evening Nov. 28 from 5-7 P.M. at Snapp-Bearden Forsyth Chapel, Forsyth, Mo.

 

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