William “Bill” H. Gray, 78, of Palm Harbor, FL passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor.
Born in Homestead, PA, he moved here from Bethel Park (Pittsburgh), PA in 2000 where he retired as a Sales Expeditor for Mesta Machines after more than 30 years of service. He was a US Army veteran, earning the rank of Specialist Third Class. Bill was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. He was active in the Highland Lakes Community participating in several clubs. He was an avid golfer, basketball referee, and Pittsburgh Steelers Fan.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Dorothy “Dot” Gray; two sons, Bill Jr. of Jacksonville, FL and Jim of Pittsburgh, PA; four daughters, Carol Scott, Mary Lou Westerbeck, and Dawn Gray, all of Pittsburgh and Sandy Donaldson of Lantana, FL; two sisters, Lois DonGiovanni of Palm Harbor and Shirley Simko of Pittsburgh; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass for the repose of His Soul will be celebrated at 11 am on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 2757 Alderman Road, Palm Harbor 34684. Father Paul Kochu as celebrant and the US Army will present military honors.
Bill always had a happy smile for us whenever we saw him around Highland Lakes. We will miss his quick wit and friendly ways.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family
Cal and Sharon Lovell
Bill will be greatly missed in our community.His generous help in caring for our Bocce courts to hearing his wonderful voice in the seat behind us at Sunday Mass will be sorely missed. Our sincerest sympathies to his wife and family. With fondness, Bob and Dolly Zito
Billy was the sweetest man in the world and will be sorely missed by his wonderful wife and family and all his many friends. He was a man with a quick wit, always a smile,loved by all who knew him, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. We are shocked and saddened by his sudden death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family for such a great loss. Ruth and Tom Brusky
Bill will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting him. My prayers to the family.
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. He will leave a huge void. He had an endearing smile and was always ready and willing to lend a hand to anybody in need. My heart goes out to his family. My sympathy, Helen Swearengin
I want to thank all of you for your kind words and prayers. My grandfather was the greatest man I have ever known, and there is no words to express the void in my heart. My family will miss his wit, charm, his charasmatic personality and all the love he gave to everyone he knew. Again, Thank you all for your kind words they are greatly appreciated. Heaven gained one heck of an angel I’ll tell ya that!!!! I love you PAP!!!!!
Uncle Bill, one of my favorite uncles. He took me to my first major league baseball game, it was 1958 @ Forbes Field the Pirates played the Cardinals, Stan Musial played 2nd base, Bill was @ the game with a friend, seated 15 rows ahead of me, inbetween innings he came back to check on me.I will surely Miss Him…..Alan
Uncle Billy was a great person. Always made you laugh. we will miss him.He will Always be in our heart.
sending our love to Aunt Dorothy, Billy, Jimmy, Carol, Mary Lou, Sandy, And Dawn, And Families. You are all in our Prayers.
Our Deepest Sympathy Joe and Mary Ann Andrasy
Dot and Family,Lois and Don ,Shirley and John. We were so very shocked and saddened by Bill’s sudden death.He will surly be singing in God’s choir by now. And because God is such a big Steeler Fan, Bill will be sitting at His right hand during the games this fall. He might even add a Prayer for us too. We will really miss him. we send our love to you all. Art and Carol
I had the privilege of being Bill’s boss during his retired years with Walmart. He was an honorable man and our entire store will miss him. It was truly a blessing to know him for the short time I did.
Pap! I am so honored to have met you through your son Bill and Family! You will be missed dearly! Your legacy will continue through family and friends RIP
Bill’s life and mine intersected each others for almost 40 years, through working with him at Mesta in the 1970’s through to working with his nephew and brother in law in vocational education to owning a summer home in the same RV resort in Ohio. He was an incredibly thoughtful caring humorous man whose loss will create a large hole to all who were touched by him. He ALWAYS took time to check on those he cared about. He tolerated me as a youth and encouraged me constantly. Don’t know of too many people who knew as many people as he did as well….. God Speed Bill!