Robert Williford Gray Sr.

Robert 'Bob' Williford Gray Sr., 81, of Willis, Texas passed away on December 13, 2019 after his courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Fayette County, Indiana on October 31, 1938 to Robert Kavanaugh Gray and Kathryn Williford Gray Watson.

Bob was a quiet man with great knowledge who loved his family dearly.  He enjoyed fishing, photography, nature, reading books, and watching football.  We knew him as 'Dad and 'The Rock'.  Sometimes his father called him 'Butch' and his sister called him 'Buddy'.  He truly was The Rock of our family and taught us strong values, showed us courage by example, determination, and love.  He was always patient and always kind.  Bob was a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Bob served in the Army National Reserve for six years.  In 1960 Bob married the late Carrol Ligon.  They had two children, Robert 'Bobby' Williford Gray Jr. and David Eugene Butler.  In 1970 Bob remarried to Peggy Jean Gray (maiden name Dunbar; family name Stavinoha) in Rosenberg, Texas.  They had one child, Jennifer Jean Gray.

Bob attended the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.  He won numerous awards and was recognized for many achievements during his career.  In 2005 he retired as a Manager at Hewlett Packard.  Prior to that he retired after 25 years of service as an Analyst with Texas Instruments.

Bob was a life member of the NRA and a patriotic man.  In retirement he spent his time in Tom Clancy books, tinkering on his farm in Hallettsville, Texas, on his mower, or building the fence with his friend, Mr. Jim Bower.

His childhood was spent in Glenwood and Connersville, Indiana where he spent many hours fly fishing on the creek near his home.  He enjoyed camping, canoeing and birdwatching.  He appreciated all of Gods gifts, and the simple and special things in life.  Nature was his soul and he had an eagle's heart.

Bob is survived by his wife Peggy Gray of Willis, Texas, his daughter Jennifer Jean Gray and her husband Richard Welch of Tomball, TX, his sons Robert Williford Gray Jr. of Hankamer, Texas and David Eugene Butler and his wife Kathy of Bellevue, Nebraska, his niece Angela Korger and her husband Rick, his grandchildren Conner Kuehl of Texas, RoseAnn Gray-Yee and her husband Kevin of California, Andrew, Nathaniel, Matthew, and Joshua Butler of Nebraksa.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, his father and stepmother, Dorothy Leflang of Connersville, Indiana, and his sister Sabra Kathryn Gray Williams of Sugarland, Texas.

You will live on in our hearts and actions in this life until we meet again.  We love you beyond measure.  May you soar with eagles' wings, Dad.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Klein Funeral Home in Tomball, Texas where family and friends may visit at kleinfh.com.