Joseph William Gray

A Video Tribute to Mr. Gray is now available on this site.Bill departed this earth Sunday, April 15, 2012 to be with his father in Heaven. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., March 30, 1927. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; Joseph and Marie A. Gray, also his son; Patrick Joseph Gray. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Judith A. Gray and daughter; Mabel Teresa Row (Ray) of Belpre, Ohio; six grandchildren, Janet Gray (Mike), Johna Dodrill (Mark), Jeff Brethauer (Lana), Roxann Sponaugle (Jeremie), Ray Row III, and Marsha Brunny (David); 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was a Navy Veteran of WWII, Admiral in The Cherry River Navy of WV, a major in the WV Mountain Militia, and a Kentucky Colonel. He retired from Monroe Systems For Business as a Senior Field Engineer after 41 years of service.He and his wife Judith were devoted members of the Family Campers and RV'ERS (National Campers and Hikers Assoc), where they served at various times as chapter officers, State Teen Directors, and State President and State Field Directors. They spent 25 years as the editors/publishers of WV State NCHA/FCRU News Letter, the WV Scratch and Scrawl.Bill and his wife were avid campers and loved to travel all the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico. Their favorite place was the Outer Banks of NC, namely Ocracoke Island where they visited at least once a year.A Celebration of Mass will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 21, 2012 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Market St., Parkersburg, with Father Eric Hall as celebrant. Shortly following Mass services Saturday, the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 3005 Grand Central Ave. Vienna, W.Va.