William Gray

GRAY, WILLIAM D. BILLIE -- Passed away Aug 7th 2009, peacefully at his home with family near him. Services will be Wed. Aug 12, 2009 at 10:00, in LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Patti Grassie vocalist and guitarist will render to the Lord in song with In the Garden, and flutist Mary Carol Bryant will play He Touched Me. Close friend and neighbor Phillip Grassie will officiate with interment at Woodbine cemetery in Artesia, NM.

Billie was born June 29, 1922 in Artesia, NM to David Nelson Gray and Charlotte White Gray. They preceded him in death. Billie had four brothers and three sisters who also preceded him in death. He was born in Artesia and graduated from Artesia High School in 1940.

Billie married Glyn Starling Gray on Jan 2, 1945 in the First United Methodist Church in Dexter, NM. They were happily married almost 65 years. Mrs. Gray survives him at the family home with two sons, John William Gray and Donald Wayne Gray, and one daughter Mary Carol Bryant, of the U.S. Navy. He is also survived by two nephews Paul Gene Houston and wife Nan of ODonnell, TX; Terry Charles Houston and wife Sandy of Midland, TX.

When he and Mrs. Gray lived in Artesia, companies in Artesia sponsored softball teams and during those years Billie was the pitcher for continental refinery, where he was an operator in the crude plant.

Mr. and Mrs. Billie Gray, with the help of a close friend built a home in Artesia in 1945 and lived there for 6 years where in 1948, Johnny was born. In 1951 they moved to their farm in Dexter, where Donald was born on 1954. He resided on the Gray Farm for 58 years, until the time of his death.

Billie farmed his farms and rented land from others. In 1960 he also worked for the NW Equipment Company of Artesia, owned by Merv and Roma Loyce Worley. They became good friends and this probably led to his and his son Donalds admiration for Moline tractors.

Billie was an avid pool player who played in tournaments all over New Mexico. His room is heavily laden with trophies. Billie also delighted in giving trophies to other players. He took players to the R.A.C. when they needed a ride and in later times visited them as they became immobile, in Artesia and in Roswell.

He was a life long member of the First United Methodist Church. He joined in Artesia where he lovingly shared the bible which Mr. Martin Yates, his Sunday school teacher, had given to him. After he and his family moved to Dexter they all joined the Methodist Church in Dexter. Billie was a dedicated Christian man who loved to worship thru songs and prayers; after Mary Carol joined the family in 1987 he enjoyed listening to her play his favorite hymns on her flute. Also he was overjoyed in having Mary Carol, Donald, and Johnny call him by their special name for him which was CHIEF
PThe family wishes to express our thanks f

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Monday, August 10, 2009
12:00 P.M.

Service

Funeral

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
10:00 A.M.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
102 E. Hermosa Dr.
Artesia, NM  88210

Memorial Contributions

112 W. 3rd St.
Dexter, NM  88230