Willard M. "Bill" Gray
July 31, 1926 — June 25, 2014
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Past Services
Visitation
Celebration of Life
Interment
Willard M. "Bill" Gray
Bill Gray Sr. was born on July 31, 1926 in Melrose, one of two children of the late LeRoy H. Gray and Alice W. (Flannigan) Gray. He was raised on Lebanon Street in Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School.At the young age of 17, Bill enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska during WWII.He served as a navigator and gunner on C-54's, and B-17's and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1946.He returned home to Lebanon Street in Melrose where his father operated a small electrical repair business out of their home.
While still in school at Melrose High, Bill began working for his late father.Learning the electrical trade as a teenager, Bill's mother drove him to repair jobs around Melrose in the family truck. After years of working on lamps, vacuums, and irons, Bill and his father began selling appliances from their home to Melrose residents in the 1950's. As the business grew, the Gray family became known as the source for all repair, service and sales for household appliances.In 1968, Gray's Maytag moved to Green Street in Melrose, and soon thereafter outgrew their first location and finally settled in Franklin Square in Melrose where the business operates today.With his friendly nature, strong work ethic, and commitment to his customers, Bill grew the company from 3 to 22 employees.After "retiring" in his mid-sixties, Bill never stopped working. He continued working several days a week and never missed a Thursday night at the store when his customers and friends knew they could find him. He would greet every morning with his motto "Good morning breakfast lovers!" a testament to his positive nature and love of life.
In addition to his work, Bill was a dedicated family man, and a supporter of his community. He was a 50+ year member of Melrose Rotary Club, a member of Fidelity Lodge AF&AM in Melrose, the Aleppo Temple Shrine, and Valley Lodge in Boston. Later in life, Bill began taking Karate lessons and at age 65 earned his Black Belt. He taught his grandchildren the karate move " The Tiger Paw" and it quickly became the family greeting.
A familiar sight around Melrose, Bill was visible in the community as "Mr. Maytag" and even had the first and only "MAYTAG" license plate on his favorite car of the moment.He took meticulous care of his many cars and Gray's Appliance trucks.He bought, sold and traded cars and went to great lengths to care for them.He always kept his garage warm, ready for the newest and most advanced version of his next car, and there were many.
Bill worked hard, but loved surrounding himself with those he loved and being the life of the party.He balanced the demands of work with his dedication to being the most devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather he could be.He never missed a graduation, birthday, dance recital, prom, first communion or baseball game.He loved Sunday afternoon Patriots games, driving up to Mt. Snow no matter the weather, listening to Tina Turner, and eating lobster.
Forever a gentleman, Bill was a true friend to many. He will he be lovingly remembered by his friends, customers, and his cherished family.
Bill Gray, Sr. was the beloved husband of Judith A. (Telles) Gray and the late Isabel L. (Moore) Gray. Devoted father of Willard M. "Bill" Gray, Jr. and his wife Claire of Melrose, and Dennis E. Gray and his wife Donna of Danvers, Mark T. Brown and his wife Claire McCarthy of Melrose, Alan S. Brown and his wife Beth of Melrose, and Richard A. Brown and his wife Magda of Wakefield. Dear brother of Violet R. Cory and her late husband Bud of Goshon, IN. Cherished grandfather of Willard "Will" Gray, III and his wife Kelly, Robert Gray and his wife Rebecca, Jennifer Gray, Dennis Gray, Jr. and his wife Lori, Jeffrey Gray, Alysia Gray and her husband Sean Roberts, Joshua Gray and his wife Megan, Michaela, Zachary, Aidan, Elsa, Natasha, Liam, Neil, Allie, Cosmo, Chiara, and Gabriella Brown. Loving great-grandfather of Madison, Brendan, Susannah, Corinne, Sarah, Elizabeth, Emily, Hailey, Chase, Anthony, Levi, Quin, and Noah. Also lovingly survived by Russell Moore and his wife Sharon of Wilmington, and many nieces, nephews, customers, and friends.
Relatives and friends will gather in honor and remembrance of Bill's life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose during visiting hours on Monday, June 30 from 3-8PM, and again on Tuesday where his Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10AM. Interment with military honors presented by the US Air Force at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield. Gifts in honor of Bill may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willard M. "Bill" Gray, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, June 30, 2014
3:00 - 8:00 pm
Robinson Funeral Home
Celebration of Life
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Starts at 10:00 am
Robinson Funeral Home
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