Wm. Douglas Gray

William Douglas Gray, age 83, of Anderson, SC, passed away peacefully and in the presence of his immediate family on Monday, April 14, 2025, at AnMed Medical Center.
Born April 24, 1941, in Providence, SC, he was the son of the late Charles A. Gray and Louise Kearse Gray. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Howard "Sonny" Gray, Marvin Conrad "Raddy" Gray, and Robert Michael "Bob" Gray, Sr.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Eleanor Smith Gray; children, Christopher Douglas Gray (Emilie), David Myers Gray (Christi), Virginia Wilkes Lister (Chad), and Robert Myles Wilkes (Lizzy); grandchildren, Caroline Gray, Ansie Gray Godden (Andrew), William Gray, II (Elizabeth), Meriwether Gray, Rett Lister, Cameron Lister, Ellie Wilkes, and Bo Wilkes; and step grandchildren, William Chard, Elizabeth Chard, and Erin Chard.
Doug was raised in what he lovingly referred to as his "bucolic" hometown of Olar, SC. As the son of a deal making merchant and a schoolteacher, Doug grew up with a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the value of education. After graduating Denmark-Olar High School in 1959, he attended the University of South Carolina where he made friends with many, honed his art of storytelling, and seemingly excelled at everything upon which he laid his hand. As a journalism major, he joined the staff of the "Gamecock" newspaper as a sportswriter. By his sophomore year he had risen to become the Sports Editor for the university paper. Doug transferred his talents to the Columbia Record where he penned his daily muses about all things golf related in his column "In the Rough." One of the highlights of his journalistic pursuits was when he was assigned to cover the 1963 Master's Tournament in Augusta, GA.
Doug was a member of the Sigma Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity where he served for a period of time as President. Doug continued his leadership skills while attending the University of South Carolina School of Law by holding the position of President of the Student Bar Association. He was introduced to Bill Law Watkins by Mike Glenn that led to an interview, a job offer, and ultimately a lifetime of legal practice with the Watkins Law Firm (formerly Watkins, Vandiver, Kirven, Gable, and Gray) and eventually with McNair Law. During his career, Doug served as the President of the South Carolina Bar Association in 1990.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church of Anderson with Rev. Maren Sonstegard-Spray officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church Welcome Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Anderson, 302 W. Whitner St., Anderson, SC 29624.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting WWW.MCDOUGALDFUNERALHOME.COM.