Earl Willis "Bill" Bray 1925-2012

BRAY FRANKS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/14/2012 at 12:33:50

Sioux City Journal
August 02, 2012

Earl Willis "Bill" Bray, 87, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, July 26, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital.

Bill was born on March 6, 1925, in Hawarden, Iowa, the son of Earl Willis Bray Sr. and Nora Mae Bray. Bill attended school in Hawarden. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years during World War II. He later worked as a barber for 20 years in Oregon and then as a commercial painter for 20 years in California.

Bill married Helen Franks in 1947 and they had one son. He then remarried in 1949 to Louise Daley and they had two sons and a daughter.

Bill loved animals, fishing, square dancing, reading, studying health issues and politics.

Survivors include his sons, Tommy Ableson of New Jersey, and Kenneth Bray of Boston; a daughter, Karen Bray Kokles of Australia; six grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Robert and Frances Bray of Sioux City; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Helen; his second wife, Louise; a sister, Bette Bray Bammerlin; and a son, Steven Bray.