William Gray

William J. Gray VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S Navy Capt. William James Gray died Nov. 10, 2008. He was born Feb. 17, 1921, in Rochester, N.Y. He was the son of the late Louis Magee Gray and Dorothy Gilmore Gray. He was predeceased by his only sister, Dorothy Gray Schmit. Bill was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1943. He graduated with the accelerated Class of 1942. Service in destroyers began in the Aleutians followed by duty in the South Pacific and the Philippines, post war destroyer service was in the Atlantic. Influenced by his father's aviation career, he entered naval flight training. Upon completion, he served in carrier squadron assignments in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Squadron command of VA 15 Valion's was a stepping stone to a CARDIV STAFF Plans billet. The Cuban Missile Crisis created an emergency request for an overnight plan to treat the Soviet Cuban missile situation. While the blockade was a deterrent, President Kennedy's concessions averted the most serious of consequences. A tour as executive officer and subsequently commanding officer of the carrier Antietam was followed by a year at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Command of the USS Montrail was a triumphant return to the salty saga of the sea. Retirement after further staff duty completed 26 years of naval service. A second career of a 28 years duration as a senior account executive with Merrill Lynch followed retiring at age 74. Bill always felt that his choicest of assignments was instructor of seamanship and navigation at the Naval Academy as it allowed him to meet and marry Joyce Armacost of Catonsville, Md., his loving wife of 57 years. In addition, he is survived by a daughter, Pamela Gray, M.D., a son, Geoffrey Gray and a brother, James Gray of Sarasota, Fla. Bill was a member of the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church, the Princess Anne Country Club and the Naval Academy Alumni Associates. Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in Virginia Beach United Methodist Church by the Rev. Ted E. David. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in the memory of Capt. Gray be made to the building fund of Virginia Beach United Methodist Church or the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 945 Virginia Beach, VA 23451.