December 15, 1949 – June 12, 2021
Bill passed away suddenly in Hayden, June 12th, 2021 doing what we all knew him for; working!
Bill was born in New Castle, Wyoming, December 15th, 1949 to Forrest “Butch” Gray and Betty Gray. The family moved from New Castle to Thornburg, Colorado to the family homestead and resided on the ranch until 1958 when they moved to Meeker for a short time. Following their time in Meeker, they moved to Craig. Bill went to school in Meeker as a youngster but later transferred to Craig where he graduated in 1968.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, vacations, occasional metal detecting and telling some wild stories, but most of all he enjoyed being with family. Bill was known for his wild child youth, humor, wild stories, being a working man and a business man.
A lot of people first meeting Bill feared his rough and tuff outer shell but soon learned the genuine soft side he had. Bill had a good heart for youth in and around the Yampa Valley. Bill was a Boy Scout Troop Leader, he ran the Routt County Little Britches Rodeo for many years; he was involved in 4H, FFA and the Routt County Fairgrounds through the 80’s and early 90’s. Bill sponsored youth and adult softball and baseball, and raced for many years in the local dirt track.
Bill married Ruth Ehle in 1976 and was happily married until Ruth passed away in 2013. Bill dearly missed Ruth but never stopped; he continued to work hard, vacationed with friends and spent his free time with family.
Bill is survived by sisters Norma Able of Loveland, Jannette Gray of Farmington, NM, and Marie Kettle of Craig; children Billie (Tony) Uriguen, of Fruita, Adrian (Stacy) Gray of Craig, Wayne (Crystal) Gray of Hayden and Jake Gray of Hayden; grandkids Brittanie Uriguen, Chelsee Uriguen, Drake Uriguen, Torin Gray, Kimberly Gray, Michelle Gray and Cesar Palacio; four great-grandkids Max Hofer, Charlie Hofer, Tony Uriguen and Bentley Uriguen.
A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 26, 2021 at The Gray Ranch, located at 39777 Routt County Road 52 in Hayden. Memorial donations may be made to your local 4-H in care of Grant Mortuary.
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