R. William Gray

"Billy"
Mr. R. William Gray
Port Jervis, NY
Mr. R. William "Billy" Gray, a lifetime resident of Port Jervis, NY, died Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at home with his family by his side in the home that was his family's original Gray Funeral Home of Port Jervis. He was 84.
He was born May 6, 1938 in Port Jervis, NY the son of the late Arthur A. Gray and the late Elizabeth Brown Gray.
Billy married Judith "Judy" Ryker 57 years ago on September 18, 1965 in St. Mary's R.C. Church in Port Jervis.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1961 – 1963.
Billy worked for the City of New York DEP as a Water Shed Maintainer and he served as the Sealer of Weights & Measures for the City of Port Jervis. He also worked at the NYS Annex in Goshen also known as the Goshen Secure Center for the troubled youth. He was a Vermont trained craftsman who designed and created granite cemetery memorials and granite products for over 50 years.
He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church of Port Jervis attending St. Mary's his whole life. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.
Billy was a proud member of the Ball Street Gang, and he was a 60-year member of the Port Jervis Elks Lodge No. 645. He was a 50-year member of the Port Jervis Country Club where he played in the CRS League and the Annual Irish Italian Golf Match. Billy amazingly shot 7 Holes in One and shot 2, 18 hole par 69 rounds.
Billy was a diehard NY Giants fan and a box seat holder and a New York Yankee fan.
A family statement read: " Dad was Blessed with a quick Irish wit that got him into (and out of) a lot of trouble, that ultimately turned into great stories as only he could tell them. He had an Amazing memory, recalling the people and places of his home town of Port Jervis and beyond. You couldn't drive into a town where he didn't have any anecdote or knew someone who lived there. He was meticulous with any project around the house, but if all else failed, he had the large ring of gray duct tape handy at all times. It worked just as well to hold together everything from the steering wheel on his green work van, to his ripped corduroy pants. Our mother always says, "Billy Gray knows a little bit about everything"..and he did. His 4 grandchildren were his world, and he never missed a game, match, or event. His wit and stories and blue Irish eyes will be missed. "
Surviving are:
Wife: Judith Gray at home. His daughter, Jennifer Cassaro & her husband Vinnie of Cuddebackville, NY; son, Jeffrey Gray and his wife Meg Columbia, SC, son, Jon Gray and his wife Rebecca Charlotte, NC and his daughter, Jeanne Corcoran and her husband Dan Sparrow Bush, NY.
His 4 grandchildren: Daniel Corcoran, Cole Corcoran, Erin Gray & Ethan Gray.
Also several nieces and nephews
He was predeceased by his brothers: Eugene Gerald Gray, Edward Arthur Gray and his wife Helen and his sisters; Margaret Rapann Greiner and her husband Raymond; Elizabeth "Betty Jane" Polanis and her husband Edward.
Visitation will be at the GRAY-PARKER FUNERAL HOME, INC. 100 East Main Street Port Jervis on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM the Elks' service will be at 7:00PM at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 28, 2023 with a 10:00AM Mass of the Resurrection in St. Mary's R.C. Church, 46 Ball St., Port Jervis with Rev. Anthony Giacona officiating.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY.
Memorial contributions to Port Jervis Elks Lodge No. 645 Scholarship Fund, PO Box 138, Port Jervis, NY 12771
Arrangements by GRAY-PARKER FUNERAL HOME, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 845.856.5191 to send a condolence note to the family visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com