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William Gray Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for William Gray
Tom Arthur
February 27, 2009
Landry was like a brother to me during my years at ECU, we worked out, and study Karate together.
There is no doubt Landry was in the right profession he had a passion for people, and the ability to show a person the good in themselves he will truly be missed!
My prayers and thoughts are with the family!
February 25, 2009
I was a coworker of Landry's at SWE. Whenever you asked him how he was he always replied, "No worries." Well, now everywhere I look I see the phrase "No worries!" I feel like Landry is giving me a sign!
Peter Herring
February 25, 2009
I will always remember Mr Gray as a wonderful teacher who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. If I was having a rough day he would come and find me, and make things better. If trouble was brewing he would find it and make things better. I remember walking out into one of North Carolina's many snow storms with him, and noting that he never wore shoes... even in the snow. He will be remembered as one of the greatest teachers I ever knew and one of the best martial artists as well.
Christine Evans(Reed)
February 18, 2009
Dear Wendy and family,
It has been a long time since I spoke to you, Wendy. My family in Jacksonville told me about your loss. I pray for you and your sons. And I am sorry that you have to experience this sad time. But William must have been an amazing fun and special person because he chose you to be his wife. My daughters are 14 months old and 5 and a half they would miss their daddy if he passed away. So I can not begin to know how you may be feeling, but I wish you hapiness and peace in the coming days and months.
Christine Evans (Reed)
David and Jo Ann Odom
February 14, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. We were saddened to hear of your lose.
Doug P
February 10, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are definitely with the family, friends, and all those students past and present. I really enjoyed working with Landry at SWE. All the comments about the twinkle in the eye, the bare feet, the funny stories, surfing and karate, he was all that and more. May God hold you all in His hand in this time of grief.
Ralph Edmonton
February 10, 2009
I wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you, in your time of need. I lost my sister four years ago in death and what helped me to ease the pain is the hope that the Bible holds out for our loved ones. In fact, Jesus, at John 5:28-29 spoke of a resurrection of our loved ones. What a wonderful time that will be to see our loved ones happy and healthy once more. I hope this scripture will be able to comfort you as it has me.
Kiley Robbins
February 8, 2009
Landry called me the little girl that he never had. So, it was even worse when he left this world. He was there with me during karate, and no doubt he will be there with me in the future. On a Sunday night, I went to his house and he opened his eyes and said, "There is my little girl. Come and give me a hug." Then, i went and saw him that Wednesday, and he opened his eyes for me. And that Friday, he opened his eyes and held his arms up like he wanted me to hug him. So, of course, I hugged him> He put his arms down and went back to sleep. And that was enough for me. When he passed, I didn't want to believe it. I had a dream on Saturday night. Landry was walking around and talking to everyone. i just looked at him. He walked over to me and said, "I'm not going anywhere." So, I will always know he will be with me no matter what. He just meant so much to me. So many thoughts run through my head when I think of him. When he woke up for me, I told my mom, "Mom he woke up to me.Is he going to live?I want him to." She said that we all want him to live, but he most likely is not. I just didn't want to believe it. I just never want to think of him as gone. i want to think that he is on a long, long, long vacation and I will meet him as soon as I can. Landry, i will meet you when I can.Love you. And will miss you always.No matter what.
Amanda Pittman Pace
February 7, 2009
I knew Mr. Gray from SWE. He was a kind, caring and compassionate man. Although I was not in his class, I knew him well because he was such an inspiration to my brother. My brother was a child that needed a little extra help, and when no one else would, Mr. Gray helped him. We think and talk about him often. I had no idea that he was sick, but I wish that I had. I would have let him know what he meant to my brother and my family. His wife, children and the rest of his family are all in my prayers.
Diana Latham Coltrain
February 6, 2009
I know Landry's new family have never met me but as one of the other signers, I have known Landry for more than 20 years too. We met in karate and became great friends. I started there as a young girl and have made many friends through karate, Landry being one of them. We went through ups and downs, good times and bad. Landry was a very good martial artists and will be greatly missed. Landry and others and myself spend many countless hours in the dojo working out having fun and kidding around with each other.
Even though I have not seen Landry since his illness, I prefer to remember him as he was when I last saw him. Healthy and full of life. I know he is greatly missed by his family and my only words are to "Learn on the Lord your God, with all your heart!" He will guide you and direct you through these very hard times. May peace be in your mind that he is happy still doing the things he enjoyed most. Surfing and karate.
Landry was a great friend and he will never be forgotten.
Kim Kaushagen
February 6, 2009
I was so sorry to hear about your sad news. I remember you all so well and how sweet he was to you at the hospital when you came in to have Micah. I was the nurse who took care of you all when you first arrived. I remember you all telling me about all the trials you had been through. I am praying for your family.
Miranda Dunn
February 5, 2009
I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. I had the privilege of working for Landry as an inclusive Pre-K teacher during his time with Pitt County Schools. I think so highly of him and all that he has done for the teachers and students in our county. He was a vital asset to our program and will be missed greatly. He was such a wonderful person and I want to let you know there was not one day that went by when Landry did not boast about his family! I know that he will be missed by all who knew him!
Michelle Henderson-Wright
February 5, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. You may not remember me but my name was Michelle Henderson when we graduated in 1988. I saw your husband passed and wanted to offer my deepest condolences. I will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask.
Faye Gulley
February 5, 2009
Landry was special. I worked with him for many years at SouthWest and there was no one like him. Barefoot, rebel-but kind and compassionate. He took care of his school kids-whatever it took whatever they needed. I feel privileged to have known him and to have shared a small part of his life.
Jim Mc Coy
February 5, 2009
I am very sda to hear this news. Landry was a great guy and I have very fond memories of my martial arts training trips to Greenville. He will be missed by a our community
Robin Boyd
February 5, 2009
Wendy and family - Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most loving time. Your friends at Immanuel Baptist Church are here for you anytime. God will embrace you all and keep you near to him during this time as he has always.
Jeffrey Ward & Divine Guidance
February 5, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with Landry's wife Wendy and their children during this time of bereavement. We all know that Landry was a dedicated husband and father and he will be missed.
Phyllis Gardner
February 5, 2009
May God continue to bless you and your family during this difficult time in your lives.
Carrie Smith
February 5, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this extremely difficult time.
Mary Ann Rose
February 4, 2009
Landry and I go back pretty far. I remember his coming into the “old dojo” on Dickinson Avenue. That is how far back we go – a good 20 years! I can still see him standing in the doorway one spring morning saying that he would see us all in a couple of months because he was going surfing! He always came back tanned and fit and happy. And every time he came back his hair looked different; sometimes long, sometimes short, sometimes gone.
One year I was managing a summer camp for minority kids whom we were hoping to attract to college. We took the kids to Chapel Hill for some reason that now escapes me, and Landry went along to help. After all the kid stuff was finished, it was late in the evening and Landry needed help with his statistics. He was in his masters program, as I remember, and he was having trouble with statistics. I was not a great one to help because I wasn’t good at it either, but I remember us sitting up half the night with me trying to help him work out the problems. I was never sure how he did with that assignment. But on top of that, he got me to type his term paper for him that night. His handwriting wasn’t the greatest and I could type fast, so that was what we did. I was up until about 3 am typing but I really didn’t mind. After all, it was Landry.
Landry was a great teacher, but he never could tell his left from his right. It was a joke. He would say “punch with your right hand” and he would illustrate that by punching with his left hand. New students were a little puzzled, but after a while they learned that left and right didn’t hold a lot of meaning for him and they got past it. They adored him.
Landry was brilliant in karate. It seemed as though he would see a thing once and then his body would just do it. The rest of us would struggle but he would already have it down. He would say something self-deprecating, like “Oh, I really had to practice that.” Right, we all believed that story.
After he underwent treatment he was concerned that his balance was not as good as it had been. I told him, “Landry, you at your worst would be better than me at my best any time”. It was true.
He was brave in facing illness; he met it face-on, just like everything else he did.
Losing Landry was like extinguishing a bright candle; his light and his life burned very brightly. I will miss him tremendously. We all will. But one thing is certain; I will never forget him.
Melissa Kegel
February 4, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to Wendy and the boys and all others who had the honor of knowing such a great man.I think we can all agree that Landry was definetly an angel in his lifetime and he will be greatly missed.
Elaine Worthington
February 4, 2009
Wendy and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Landry's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jasper Williams,Jr
February 4, 2009
I have know he Gray family all of my life. I worked as a law enforcement officer where he grew up. I watched him mature into a great man. Dedicated to helping others and always with kind words for all. He was gifted by God to help children, an icon to those he came in contact with. Our prayers go out for his family.
Ken Sheldon
February 4, 2009
I was saddened to hear about Landry's passing. While at ECPS and SWEHS, I remember Landry's loving care and concern for all students, his calls about "I'm working on the paperwork, BUT......", and his trips to Bridgers to bring in some of his paperwork. No matter what the weather, the surfer/karate expert in him allowed him to wear sandals or at times "no shoes". He always had a smile and an explanation. When he left ECPS for a higher position, he was missed at Bridgers or SWEHS. Landry was truly one of a kind and if you knew him, was truly a super teacher and human being. To his family, you can certainly be proud of him and the many lives he touched. He is a tough act to follow.
Carl Brow
February 4, 2009
I first met Landry at “The Spa” in Greenville. In my resume I said I need a job to help pay for my education. He often said later this had impressed him because most people would write something to the effect that “they had always wanted to work at a health club”. He told me later after reading my resume that “If this guy can walk and chew gum at the same time, I’m going to hire him just for being honest.” Of course Landry would always say later he had to “forget the gum chewing part”. He was more mentor than manager and he taught me lots about working out, how to effectively deal with people, and gave me lots of advice on women. He always had a crazy story or a joke to share and even when he was asking me to teach a 6 AM aerobics class, he would have me laughing and saying “Yes” to whatever he wanted. More than once Landry gave me money out of his own pocket, and even loaned me his car. Working with him at the health club helped me overcome my shyness and put me at ease with many kinds of people and I give Landry a lot of credit for that good time in my life. It has been a long time since I’ve seen Landry, and despite several degrees, years of living abroad and a 15 year career in counseling, I have many fond memories of Landry and his courage, kindness, humor and sense of adventure. God bless you brother, it was a privilege and a pleasure.
Carl Brow
Malissa Briley
February 4, 2009
Landry will be missed by all, he was a great friend and a wonderful co-worker. He would do anything for you that he could and never expected anything in return except for you to smile and relax. We'll all miss him very much!!
Mary Jolliff Moore
February 4, 2009
I knew Landry when he was a boy in Manteo, and later when he was a teen in Buxton. He made life interesting. I never saw him without a smile on his face, and a twinkle in his eye, wondering what he could get up to next! I'm so amazed to read his accomplishments, and to know that his personality, which could not be duplicated, carried him far. Love to Ray and Vandetta, if they remember me. Mary Jolliff Moore, former music teacher and Bank of Manteo employee.
Susan Morgan
February 3, 2009
My prayers go out to Landry's wife, children, family, and all who knew him. He was such an inspiration to us all and dearly loved working with children, especially special needs children. Many times when situations were difficult, he reminded us of what was important, the children we served. He lived each day to the fullest with a smile and barefoot whenever he could!!!
I am sure God needed help in heaven with children and to teach karate.
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