William Nelson Gray, Jr., 86, died peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2023. Bill was the son of the late William Nelson Gray, Sr., and Elizabeth Roane Gray.  He served his country in the United States Air Force and then dedicated 32 years to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock, retiring in 1994 as a supervisor.   Bill was a devout Christian and attended St. Mark's United Methodist Church.  He was outgoing, funny, and very dedicated and loving to his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 60 years, Irene Nettles Gray; and brother, John Gray.  Left to cherish is memory is son, William "Nelson" Gray, III (Beth); daughter, Susan E. Likert; brothers, James Gray (Fay) and David Gray (Janet); sister-in-law, Lavern Gray; grandchildren, Randall Likert, Jr. and Elizabeth McIntire; great-grandchildren, Racheal, Robby, Rebecca, and Ruth; numerous nieces and nephews; and dear next door neighbors and friends, Ina, Taz, and Rebel.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 26, 2023 from 4 – 5 PM at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Avenue, Hampton.  A funeral service will be conducted at 12 Noon on Monday, February 27, 2023 at the funeral home with interment at 3 PM at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk,  VA.