Billy McArthur Gray (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Billy McArthur Gray, son of Ernie and Lois Jennings Gray, was born March 18, 1942, in Norwood, Missouri. He unexpectedly departed this life Saturday, December 21, 2013, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, at the age of seventy-one years, nine months and three days.
On January 28, 1961 he was united in marriage to Naomi Stephens and to this union three sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Billy is survived by his loving wife of fifty-two years, Naomi; three sons, Kevin Gray of Mtn. Grove, Missouri, David Gray and his wife, Rhonda and Kris Gray and his wife, April all of Macomb, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Tyler, Kristin, Alisha, Christian, Jonah, Mikeal, Maci and Madix; one great-grandson, Easton; step-mother, Jo Ann Gray of Macomb, Missouri; two brothers, Boyd Gray of Norwood, Missouri and David Gray and his wife, Sondra of Mansfield, Missouri; a sister, Diana Amos and her husband Gary of Lebanon, Missouri, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
He was a 1960 graduate of Mansfield High School. He was a farmer and drove a school bus for Mansfield Schools for 29 years. He loved his “kids” and if he saw them being mistreated he would say, “I just wanted to bring them home with me.”
Billy was saved at an early age and re-dedicated his life after marrying Naomi. He was an active member of the Seymour Nazarene Church. He loved the church and served faithfully as a door greeter. He felt that if the door was open, he should be there to meet the people. Billy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and a caring neighbor and friend. His life revolved around family, church and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the Gray Family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Billy’s granddaughter, Kristin, and father-in-law, Orville Stephens.
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