William Howard GrayWilliam Howard "Doc" Gray passed away on the 14th of September 2017, at age 92.Doc was born on the 18th of January 1925, in Barry County, Missouri to William Hobart Gray and Maye Elvira Pennel Gray. He grew up in a large family of three boys and three girls, and he was the oldest child. Doc was a poster child for the Greatest Generation. After growing up in the Great Depression he was drafted into the military. He proudly served his country in the US Coast Guard where he fought in the European, African, and Pacific Theaters of war. First on a gunnery crew, then later on the fleet command deck as a Status Board keeper.Following the war he returned home to Purdy, Missouri where he met Delilah "Dee" Angeline Widmeyer.After dating for a while, Doc asked Dee to take a drive with him. He drove to Eureka Springs, Arkansas where he picked up some car parts. After leaving Eureka Springs Doc stopped in Berryville, Arkansas in front of the court house. Dee asked Doc what he was doing, and Doc replied, "I thought we would get our license and get married". Dee thought for a while and then said, "Yes". Doc had already made up his mind that if she had said no, he was going to make her get out of the car and walk all the way back to her home in Monett, Missouri. They were married 66 years, 10 months and 5 days the day she passed away.Doc worked the next 40 years as a heavy equipment operator building the country he fought to save. He initially traveled all over the country, and decided to work locally as his family grew. Two major projects he had a hand in were the Table Rock Dam and the Bull Shoals Dam.Doc was a truly good and hard working man. His laughter was infectious, and everything he did was done with honesty and integrity. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was very fond of going to the races, both the horses and stock cars. He was a good card player, liked to fish, and you could always get him to watch a ballgame with you.The way he lived his life is an example of why they are called the greatest generation, and he will be sorely missed.Doc was proceeded in death by his wife Dee, his parents William and Maye , his brother Rodney, and his sister Virginia Schroder. Doc is survived by his brother Billy( spouse Roselie), sister Jayne Terry, sister Bonnie McClain (spouse Mac); son, Jerry Gray (spouse Kay), daughter Judy Nunn (spouse Danny); grandchildren Russell Gray (spouse Kim), Matthew Gray, Daniel Nunn (spouse Lori), Jessica Nunn, Dustin Nunn (spouse Trisha); great-grandchildren Benjamin Gray, Caitlin Gray, Liam Gray, Ana Gray, Noah Gray, Jake Nunn, Ryker Nunn, and Luci Nunn; , nieces, nephews family and friends. Doc was greatly loved and will leave an empty place in our hearts, but we are happy that he is now dancing with his bride in heaven.Visitation will be Wednesday September 20th, 2016 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, with a military memorial service at 1:00 P.M. at Missouri Veterans Cemetery