William Gray Obituary

I received the news of the passing of William Gray from his daughter, Cindy Gray Dickey. It's always sad when we lose another connection with old time New Gretna. Our condolences go out to the family.

Pete S

William “Bill” Gray

            William Gray was born to William and Virginia (Darby) Gray on September 2, 1931, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  He died Tuesday, November 29, 2011 in Enid.

            Bill grew up in New Gretna, New Jersey, across the street from Jean Marie Atkinson, whom he married on June 21, 1953. They married at the Methodist church in New Gretna. Bill served in the National Guard from 1950 – 1956. He began his construction career in 1952 with Raymond Concrete.  Bill joined Bechtel Corporation in 1959, working in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Wyoming until 1975.  From 1975 to 1984, Bill worked with Fluor Corporation as a construction manager on the Trans-Alaskan pipeline, and completed construction projects in South Africa, Iran and Saudi Arabia.  In 1989 Bill was called to oversee the building of sleeping/cafeteria barges for the cleanup crew of the Exxon Valdez oil spill at Prince William Sound, AK. Until 2000, Bill was a self-employed general contractor.  He loved his two dogs, Dudley and Scotty.  Bill was a history buff, and his other interests included Fox news, politics, reading, collecting stamps, and the New York/New Jersey Giants. 

            He is survived by his loving wife Jean of 58 years; daughter  Cindy (whom he delivered on the way to the Atlantic City hospital) and her husband Mike Dickey of Enid; two sons, William Gray (named after Bill),  and Joseph Mathis Gray (named after great-grandfather Joseph K. Mathis), both of Festus, Missouri; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

            William was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister.

            There will be a family memorial service at a later date.  Memorials may be made to SPCA of Enid.  Condolences online at www.andersonburris.com. or mailed to 120 S. Mission Road, Enid, OK 73703.