William Melbourne “Big Bill” Gray, 79, of Chester, SC died March 26, 2021, after a valiant fight against complications from COVID-19. A memorial service in celebration of Bill's life is being planned for later this year.
 

Bill was a Navy veteran, Deputy Sheriff, Paramedic, EMS Director, and Director of Emergency management for Mcdowell County, SC, volunteer fireman, and an avid outdoorsman. He was an NRA firearms instructor and a firearms enthusiast. He was once recognized in his career for going "Above and beyond the call of duty", rescuing a fallen firefighter from a collapsed and burning structure at great risk to his own safety and providing successful on-the-scene resuscitation, saving the firefighter's life.
 

He was a beloved father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Constantly tickled at life, Big Bill’s big personality was exceeded only by his laugh. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Walter E. Gray, Sr. and Eleanor T. Gray. He is survived by his son, Sean Gray, daughter-in-law, Marnie Gray, two grandsons, Logan and Braden, his siblings Walter Gray, Jr., Laurie Dobbeck and Jonathan Gray, and seven nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to The NRA Foundation or The Trust for Public Land.

25th Class Reunion
Above is Ralph Sublett, Richard Finding, Danny Bergstrom, Bob Sublett, Bill Gray

Below is Ralph Sublett, Bill Gray and Gary Burton