William A. "Bill" Pray

Pawcatuck - William "Bill" A. Pray, 82, of Pawcatuck, died unexpectedly Monday Jan. 11, 2021. Born in New London, he was the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Laskovich) Pray and lived in Stonington for most of his life. He was the husband of the late Verna (Thomson) Pray, who died in 2018.

Bill was employed with Whaling City Dredge where he ran boat tours. He eventually went on to work in the maintenance department for Stonington Public Schools up until his retirement. He was a member of the Stonington Borough Fire Department and past captain of Neptune Engine Co., a past president of the Stonington Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc. and was the first certified EMT in the town of Stonington. Bill was also a U.S. Coast Guard veteran honorably discharged in 1966.

Bill will be remembered as a selfless individual who was always willing to help his family, was committed to his community and passionate about working in his yard.

He is survived by his brother James A. Pray and his wife Irene of Stonington; numerous nephews: William Blanchard and his wife Sandra of Stonington, Timothy Blanchard of Meriden, James A. Pray Jr. and his wife Wendy of Florida, Patrick Pray of Westerly and Ronald Pray Jr. of Westerly; and his nieces, Deborah Crooker and her husband Larry of Mystic and Lori Fidrych and her husband Peter of Westerly.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Elm Grove Cemetery, Route 27, Mystic. There will be no calling hours. The Mystic Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.