WILLIAM A. GRAY
CHARLESTON AND DEXTER, William A. Gray, 80, formerly of Dexter, went to be with his Lord on October 30, 2006, after a long illness. He was born August 25, 1926, in Brooksville, the son of Augustus and Nina (Batchelder) Gray. Bill lived in Brooksville as a young child with his mother, Nina, and sister, Myrtie Gray Blanchard. As children growing up, Bill and Myrtie worked very hard, but enjoyed the great outdoors and remained close through the years. Bill and his family later moved to Garland where he met many friends; his life-long friends, Richard Gallagher and Slim and Susie Worcester, with whom he enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips, and years of friendship. Bill worked at Strout's Poultry Farm before entering the Armed Services in 1945. After his honorable discharge in 1946, he worked for E.L. Crosby for twelve years doing TV repair.

He married his wife of 45 years, Shirley (Leavitt) Gray, in 1961, and was welcomed by the birth of his only child, Karen Gray Norsworthy, a year later. Bill and Karen shared a wonderful father/daughter relationship all through the years and regardless of her age, she was always "Daddy's little girl". He started his own TV repair business in 1962, which he operated for 35 years, as well as working in the upholstery business with his wife, Shirley. He spent many hours building the family cottage in Monson with the help of his brother-in-law, James Gillespie, which he and his family enjoyed for many years. He also enjoyed gardening and reading. Due to poor health, Bill and Shirley both moved to the farm in Charleston to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Dale Norsworthy. Bill and Dale created a very special bond during this time. Bill looked forward to seeing Dale after a day of work to exchange stories and hear the events of his day. They would end their day by watching TV together in the evenings and would fill the room full of laughter. Dale passed away unexpectedly in 2004, but left behind a gift of precious memories. Bill remained in Charleston until his health demanded more care than what his family could provide. He moved to the Hibbard Nursing Home in Dover-Foxcroft in June of last year and resided there at the time of his passing.

Surviving are, Bill's wife, Shirley Gray, daughter, Karen Norsworthy, sister, Myrtie Blanchard, brother-in-law, Roy Clarke, and Bill's dog, MaKayla, all of Charleston; brother-in-law, Lewis Leavitt and wife Velma of Exeter; sister-in-law, Maxine Gillespie of Dexter, as well as several cousins and a special "grandson", Cameron Goldsmith.

There will be no services at this time. Donations in his memory may be made to the Activity Fund at the Hibbard Nursing Home, P.O. Box 150, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. A special thanks to the staff at Hibbard's and Dr. Fernow for the professional care and compassion Bill received during his stay. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Dexter. To sign an online guestbook, go to www.CrosbyNeal.com.