Reverend Willie A. “Bill” Gray, 79, went home to sit on the right-hand side of the Lord on March 29, at his home in Great Bend. Born April 20, 1935, in Pawnee, Okla. he was the son of Lee Andy and Mary Etta (Cargill) Gray. He attended school in Hutchinson. He worked as a contractor for the City Highway Department in Hutchinson and then lived in Denver, Colo., for many years as an auto detailer and truck driver. On Sept. 10, 1987, he was united in marriage to Carolyn K. Jordan in Denver, Colo. The couple moved to Great Bend that same year to be close to his mother and stepfather. Bill was called to preach the Word in April of 1993, at Second Baptist Church in Newton and was ordained into the ministry in June of 1994 under the guidance of his brother Pastor L.F. Gray. He was also Pastor at First Baptist Church in Hoisington. He loved hunting and fishing, in addition to preaching.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn K. Gray of Great Bend; five sons, Ralph Gray and Gerry Gray, both of Stillwater, Okla., Nicholas Wagner of El Dorado, Matthew Gray of Hutchinson, and Lamont Gray of Oklahoma; one daughter, Taleah N. Gray of Denver, Colo.; one step-daughter, Stephanie Taylor-Jordan of Great Bend; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Pastor Leonard F. Gray and his wife, Betty, of Hutchinson; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Lee Andy and Mary Etta (Cargill) Gray; his step-father, Raymond Wharton; two sons, Othel Gray and Kimen Wagner; one step-son Donnell Jordan; two brothers, Johnnie Gray and Othel Gray; and one sister Leola Cherry.
According to his wishes, cremation has been chosen. There will be no viewing or services. The family requests that memorials be directed to the family. Online condolences may be left and a complete obituary may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS  67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 31, 2015