Wilma Louise Gray

Our beautiful mother passed away in her sleep on August 6th, 2021 in Marysville, Washington at the age of 91. She was born on June 11th, 1930 in Riverton, Wyoming to Marcus and Evelyn Lee. Mom was approx. ¼ Lakota Sioux on her mother’s side. She was proud of her native heritage and was a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota.

Wilma was born the eldest of (7) children. During her younger years, they moved many times and resided in several states to follow President Roosevelt’s government project work opportunities for her father during the Great Depression. Wilma’s family settled in Marysville, Washington where she attended school and graduated from Marysville High with the class of 1948. In 1949 Wilma married Bill Wetzel and they had (3) sons: Ron, Roger and Tom Wetzel. After their divorce, Wilma married Larry Gray and they had (2) children: Susan and Jeffrey along with bonus daughter, Connie, from Larry’s previous marriage. With a total of (6) kids between them, they managed their version of the “Brady Bunch”.

Wilma went to work at the Scott Paper Company in 1965. This was to have been a temporary position to help out with family finances, but instead she ended up retiring from Scott Paper after 27 years of rotating shiftwork and grueling schedules. During her employment at Scott Paper, Wilma made many friendships over the years. Her “BFF” was Vi Clawson. They were bowling, bingo and travel companions for many years. Wilma and Vi made numerous road trips around the state to attend bowling tournaments and also out of country trips to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and Canada. Sometimes they even let Larry and Roy go with them.

Wilma loved to go to bingo and the casino. Her license plate frame read “Bingo Keeps Wilma off the Streets”. Some of her notable prizes were a 17 ft Bayliner pleasure boat and a Mariners Diamond Club Day at the ballpark. She was a formidable Scrabble opponent (as long as you played by her rules) and looked forward to Friday night game nights with Sue at the kitchen table, having some toddies, and listening to music on the radio- every now and then they would have to get up to dance to a favorite oldie.

She also loved to host her annual summer family potluck reunions every June to celebrate multiple family birthdays, play yard games, eat, drink and catch up on current events. Many good times were had by all, and no family potluck was complete without Mother’s potato salad- She made the BEST EVER!

Wilma is survived by sons Roger Wetzel, Tom Wetzel (Connie) and Jeff Gray; daughter Susan Gray- Parks; stepdaughter Connie Groves (Jerry); daughter in-law Cheryl Wetzel; sisters Barbara Kane (Michael), Virginia Anderson (Fred) and Wanda LaRose (John); sister in-law Darlene Lee; special daughter in-law Deb Gray; (9) grandchildren; (10) great grandchildren; (5) great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Larry Gray; parents Marcus and Evelyn Lee; son Ronald Wetzel; brothers Robert, Howard and Mark Lee; brother in-law Robert Gray; and former husband, Bill Wetzel.

A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18th with viewing at 12:00 p.m., services at 1:00 p.m., graveside service at 2:00 p.m., and reception following at the Evergreen Funeral Home located at 4504 Broadway in Everett, Washington.

"In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Wilma Louise Gray to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online www.DementiaSociety.org/donate."