Rev. William R. Grady

Rev. William R. Grady, 74, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church of Muncie since 1974, died Monday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2003 at Ball Memorial Hospital. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Patrick and Annie Padden Grady, and did his early schooling there prior to going to St. Meinrad. Father Grady was a "lifer of St. Meinrad Seminary," having attended all twelve years of minor and major seminary from 1943 to 1955. He is a Benedictine Oblate of St. Meinrad. He was invested May 23, 1950 and made his final oblation May 24, 1951, both at St. Meinrad. On May 3, 1955 he celebrated his first Mass at St. James Catholic Church in Toledo. He was associate pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church from 1955 to 1963, serving under Monsignor Cyr, was pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winchester from 1963 to 1968, was pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes in Monticello from 1968 to 1971 and pastor of St. Charles Catholic Church in Peru from 1971 to 1974. Father Grady returned to Muncie in 1974 and has served as pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church since that time. He was Dean of the College of Consultors to the Bishop and Dean of the Muncie Deanery. Father Grady served on the St. Meinrad Alumni Board from 1987 to 1993 and served as president of the board from 1989 to 1990. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash from then Governor Robert D. Orr, May 14, 1987. Surviving are his sister, Mary K. Durivage (Edwin); 2 brothers, Thomas F. Grady and Edward D. (Lucy) Grady all of Toledo, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, James P. Grady, John V. Grady and Joseph M. Grady; and his sister, Eileen Hearn. The reception, the receiving of his body in the church, will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 in St. Mary Catholic Church. Visitation at the church will be from 4 p.m. Thursday, continuing through the night until noon Friday, Oct. 10. The Scripture Service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Friday with burial following in Elm Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Bishop Gallagher Manor or St. Mary Catholic Church, both in care of the church at 2300 W. Jackson Street, Muncie, IN 47303. Arrangements: Meeks Mortuary, Muncie. Online condolences to the family may be sent to meeksmortuary@sbcglobal.net.