Gray, Willis E. Jr. 1934-2005

GRAY, BALDWIN, EASTON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/23/2008 at 15:17:58

Willis E. Gray Jr., 70, of Sioux City died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church, 3939 Cheyenne Blvd., Sioux City, with the Rev. Alan Wicks officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Merrill, Iowa, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Mr. Gray was born Nov. 6, 1934, in Sioux City, the son of Willis E. and Mary E. (Baldwin) Gray Sr. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

He married Laila F. Easton on Nov. 11, 1955, in Yuma, Ariz. He was employed with Iowa Beef for 30 years. More recently, he worked at Cub Foods.

He was a member of First Lutheran Church and the Sioux City Eagles Club. He was a second degree Mason at North Riverside Lodge 622. He was an avid sprint car racing fan. He also enjoyed playing cards, bowling and puzzles.

Survivors include his wife, Laila; a son and his wife, Craig and Evie Gray of Spirit Lake, Iowa; a daughter and her husband, Laura and Todd Seaton of Sioux City; a brother and his wife, Robert and Shirley gray of Hawarden, Iowa; a sister, Pat Rice of Spokane, Wash.; three grandsons, Brandon Gray, Paul Seaton and Mike Seaton; three great-grandchildren, Destinee, Alecia and Annabelle Gray; and his mother-in-law, Elsie Easton of Sioux City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three infant sons, Paul, Willis and Dale; a sister, Mary; and his father-in-law, Roger Easton.

Pallbearers will be Brandon Gray, Paul Seaton, Russell Gray, Rick Easton, Randy Guthmiller and Rory Gray. Honorary pallbearers will be the U.S. Marine Corps League.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal
~Part of the Darrell E. Obituary Collection