William Wray

WRAY
Major General William Robert Wray (U.S.Army, Ret.), of Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, passed away Wednesday September 23, 2010. He was born and raised in DeQuincy, LA, son of Madonna Mozelle Hunt Wray and William Thomas Wray. He graduated from DeQuincy High School in 1942 and the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1946, beginning a distinguished career of 36 years as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the last nine years as a general officer. General Wray served as a troop unit commander at all levels through the grade of colonel, as well as in various engineering and scientific assignments in the U.S., Philippines, Okinawa, France, Korea, Canal Zone, and Vietnam. As a captain he had the distinction of serving as the Officer-in-Charge of an Army, Air Force, Navy crew which started up and evaluated the Army's first nuclear plant designed specifically to produce electrical power. During the early years of his career, he also earned his Master's Degree in Engineering from Texas A&M. As a general officer, he was responsible for the construction of military facilities worldwide for the Army, Air Force, and several foreign governments. This work included construction of two new complete hardened air bases in Israel on an extremely tight time schedule at President Carter's direction. Those bases were essential to permit the timely withdrawal of Israeli Air Force units from the Sinai in compliance with the Camp David Accords. On retirement from the Army in 1982, as its Deputy Chief of Engineers, General Wray was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the military's highest peacetime decoration. Following his retirement, Bill and his wife Mary, the love of his life, settled at Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, in the hill country near San Antonio to be near their dear friends John and Jane Perkins. Having dedicated himself to the ideals of his West Point training and its motto-Duty, Honor, Country-in service to his country, he was proud that he could dedicate his talents and time to serving God and his church in multiple ways, including overseeing the design and construction of a beautiful new sanctuary and a large multi-purpose Family Life Center at the First United Methodist Church of Boerne. He also sang in the church choir and often taught Sunday School to the Genesis class. Bill and Mary spent most Saturday evenings with the Perkinses and other visiting family members at Los Barrios in San Antonio, carrying on a 60-year tradition of Saturday evening Mexican food dinners with family members and friends wherever they lived. He and Mary cherished their brunch and wedding anniversary dates at the Fair Oaks Ranch Golf and Country Club as well, always appreciating the extra efforts made by the staff there to make their evenings special. Bill was known to his family and friends for his great reverence of country, strong convictions, and a deep and unabated love, loyalty, and support for his family and friends. He was always there for them and will be greatly missed. Bill Wray is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Mary, of Fair Oaks Ranch;, daughter Linda and her husband Duane Alwin of State College, PA; son Robert and his daughters Danielle and Emily and son Chris of Edwards, CO; son Steven and his partner Maureen Keogh and step-son Nick; and two sisters Mary Belle Jones of Clute, TX and Margaret Kennedy of Lubbock, TX; and many nephews, nieces, and friends. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Sept 29, 11am at the First United Methodist Church of Boerne, with visitation Tues. evening, Sept 28, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Vaughan's Funeral Home in Boerne, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Boerne or to a charity of choice. To leave a message or tribute for the family, please visit www.vaughanfuneralhome.com and select the obituaries icon. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Vaughan's Funeral Home of Boerne.