WL Bray

July 10, 2016

WL Bray, 78, of the Berrydale community, north of Milton, Florida, died Monday, July 4, 2016, following an extended battle with liver cancer.

WL was born September 20, 1937, in Pensacola, to William Berlon “Buddy” Bray and Mary Ann Silvia Bray, who later married Guy Blackburn, all deceased. After graduating Tate High in 1955, he and his cousins by marriage, Melvin and Ray McGhee, joined the Army and he and Melvin proudly served this country for 18 long, hard months in war-torn Korea, before he returned to Ft Polk, Louisiana, where he finished out his four years. Shortly after returning home he met and married the love of his life, Lois Jernigan, on April 11, 1959, in a double wedding with Pat and Ray McGhee. WL and Lois were happily married for 57 years and had six children; the first one, Donna Renee, only lived a few days. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Berlon Bray; and sisters, Liz Blackburn and Robin Norris.

In addition to his much beloved wife, Lois, he leaves behind daughter, Susan (Carth) Garrison; son, Billy Bray (Cathy Boutwell); daughter, Lisa Bray; daughter, Brenda Davis (Gary Hardy); daughter, Casey Holley-Bray; grandchildren, Katelyn Garrison, Kyle Davis, Paul “P.R.” Bray, Kendra Hardy, Jessica (Jonathon) Easterling, and Cotton Malone; great-grandchild, Jon Luke Easterling; ex-son-in-law, Jerry Davis; ex-son-in-law, Darryl Erhardt; brother, Guy Blackburn; and best friend, Fred Coleman.

WL retired after 35 years with the Florida Department of Transportation in Pensacola, where he was a Maintenance Supervisor. He was an avid and successful hunter, fisherman, and farmer. He was a founding member of the Viney Bottom Hunting Club and served for the past 15+ years as its president.

Funeral services were held at Lewis Funeral Home on Thursday, July 7, 2016, with Reverend Jimmy Pittman presiding and Wayne and Angie Blocker assisting. Music was provided by Charles and Deborah Bray and Doris Kelley.

Active pallbearers were Benny Baxley, Ken Blair, Ben Floyd, Frank Lovin, Alan Mitchem and Kevin Nelson.

Honorary pallbearers were Fred Coleman, Virgil Bedsole, Gary Don Holley, Jimmy White, and Paul Mitchem.

WL will be buried in the Berrydale Community Cemetery; however, there will be no graveside service.

The family wishes to extend their heart-felt appreciation to all the people and churches who prayed for and helped the whole family over the past 22 months, and to Dr. C. David Smith, his wonderful staff and the nurses at Jay Hospital who provided compassionate care to WL and his family.

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Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries