Roll Call Tribute

From www.westoaksfuneralhome.com Name: Dr. G. W. "Bill" Gray, 86 Died: Wednesday, March 03, 2010, in Sulphur Springs, Texas Services: Dr. G. W. "Bill" Gray Funeral services for Dr. G. W. "Bill" Gray, 86, longtime Hopkins County veterinarian, business and community leader will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 6, 2010 in the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas with the Rev. Debbie Riggsby officiating. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Military Coalition at Restlawn Memorial Park with Dr. David Black, L. F. Bridges, Chad Cable, Robert Carpenter, Johnny Sickles, Daryl Perkins, Bill Grimes, Larry Blount, Dwayne Allen, and Bill McManus serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Gillis, J. C. Richards, Carlisle Clement, Cody Blount, Ira Black, Jim Massey, Ace Hamner, Dr. Darren Arnecke, the Crusaders Class at First United Methodist Church, the Directors and Officers of the Alliance Bank, B. F. Ascroft and Gerald Gooding. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2010 at West Oaks Funeral Home. Dr. Gray passed away on Wednesday afternoon, March 4, 2010, at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital in Sulphur Springs. Born to Robert Lee Gray and Freda Margaret Chiesa on January 12, 1924, Dr. Gray grew up in Garland, Texas. On January 25, 1943, he married Mary Elizabeth Richards in Rowlett, Texas. He loved his wife of 67 years and affectionately called her "his Boss Lady." Together, they had two daughters, Suzanne Gray Lindley of Sulphur Springs and Judith Elizabeth Grimes of Austin, Texas. Dr. Gray was loved by many people who called him by many names including Pop, Doc, Bullet, and Dad. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1945. While attending Texas A&M, he lettered in football for three years as the team's starting left guard. A true Aggie at heart, he was a member of the Texas A&M University Letterman's Association, the Sul Ross Group, the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, and the Hopkins County A&M Club. Dr. Gray was veteran of the United States Army in World War II. He also served in the Korean Conflict as a First Lieutenant in the Veterinary Corps. In 1947, the Grays relocated to Sulphur Springs where Dr. Gray opened his veterinary clinic. Dr. Gray proudly served his community in many volunteer and elected positions. For 40 years, he was a director of the Alliance Bank of Sulphur Springs. He proudly served 8 years on the Sulphur Springs City Council and 8 years on the SSISD School Board including 6 years as President. While serving as School Board President, he had the honor of presenting both his daughters' high school diplomas during their graduation ceremonies. In addition, Dr. Gray was a Life Member of the Hella Shriners in Garland, Texas, and the Garland, Texas Masonic Lodge #441. He also served on numerous boards and committees at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. In continued support of high school athletics, Dr. Gray organized and served as the president of the Sulphur Springs Athletics Booster Club. He was an active member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, serving as its president in 1988. As the Grand Marshal of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival, his escort convertible was driven by his good friend and Aggie Protégé, Cody Blount, assisted by Dr. Gray's two year old granddaughter, Meredith McManus. In 1994, Dr. Gray was inducted in the Garland Sports Hall of Fame for recognition of his high school and college football career. As a veterinarian, Dr. Gray was a compassionate man was who cared deeply for his clients and their animals. He initiated the first brucellosis testing program for the State of Texas in Hopkins County. In 1998, Dr. Gray received the Distinguished Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Veterinary Medicine. He was so very honored and surprised to receive this award for which his veterinarian peers in the State nominated him. Dr. Gray was a Lifetime Member of both the Texas and American Veterinary Medical Associations. Dr. Gray loved his family, his many friends and his loyal veterinary clients who made his stay on this earth "a wonderful trip." Dr. Gray is survived by his wife Mary of 67 years, two daughters Suzanne Lindley and her husband Billy Dan of Sulphur Springs and Judy Grimes and her husband Bill of Austin, Texas, three granddaughters Sara Allen and husband Dwayne of Sulphur Springs, Rae McManus and her husband Bill of Atlanta, Louisiana and Susan Perkins and her husband Daryl of Newcastle, Oklahoma, and three great grandchildren Meredith McManus of Atlanta, Louisiana, and Savannah and Blaine Allen of Sulphur Springs, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com Service Schedule -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visitation Date: Friday, March 05, 2010 Visitation Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation Location: West Oaks Funeral Home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service Date: Saturday, March 06, 2010 Service Time: 3:00 p.m. Service Location: First United Methodist Church -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burial Date: Saturday, March 06, 2010 Burial Time: 4:00 p.m. Burial Location: Restlawn Memorial Park

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