“Bill” William James Gray
(November 16, 1962 – August 10, 2011)

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of “Bill” William James Gray. Bill was born on November 16, 1962 in Melfort, SK to Irvin and Ruby Gray, the youngest of 5 children. Bill had a passion for hockey both playing goal and refereeing. In his late teens his love turned to golf. He worked on the grounds crew at the Melfort Golf and Country Club. That is where he met and fell in love with Gwen Lambert. The high school sweethearts were married Oct. 8 1983.

In 1984 they moved to Yorkton, SK where Bill worked for CJGX Radio. It was in 1985 that they were blessed with their first son Tyler Lambert Gray. 1986 saw Bill and Gwen move back home to Melfort where Bill was employed at CJVR Radio. Bill had always had a love of photography and soon became the owner of True Color Photo Lab. The self-taught photographer expanded to include a studio in which he specialized in wedding photography. 1987 brought another addition to the family when Ryan James Gray was born. 1991 saw the Gray’s relocate to Saskatoon and Bill became manager of Astral Photo. Evenings and weekends were spent playing slow pitch and broomball. In 1997 Bill started working at the Medical Photography Unit at the University of Saskatchewan where he worked until the time of his passing. His priority was always customer service.

Bill was always his own worst critic when it came to his photos with one notable exception, “The Fawn” which he was persuaded to enter into the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation photo contest. He was so very proud when his picture won best of show.

Family was always priority for Bill. Summers were spent camping and fishing with Gwen and the boys. He always looked forward to the Lambert family reunion held at Emerald Lake every summer, which gave him a chance to play cards, bocce ball, catch fish and laugh. In 2009 Bill bought his pride and joy, a Suntracker pontoon boat. Every summer weekend was spent fishing (some successful, some not).

In 2009 Bill and Gwen moved to Martensville, always small town folks, it was a good fit. Gray Photographics, a home based business was started. Bill enjoyed taking pictures at U of S convocation and awards banquets. Spare weekends were spent doing professional picture framing. Winter vacations were to the tropical paradise of Jamaica and Bill loved it so much that he named his boat YEA MON (Once you go…you'll know).

On Wednesday, August 10,2011, Bill succumbed to a massive heart attack and passed away. He was predeceased by his parents Irvin and Ruby Gray and his in-laws Bryan and Rosemary Lambert.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife Gwen Gray (nee Lambert), sons Tyler and Ryan, siblings Wayne (Vivian) ,Wanda (Joe) Ollivier , Ray (Donna), Ken (Kathy),in-laws: Patty (Darren)Kraft , Michelle, (Cody) Kostiuk , Shane (Marilyn Doucette) Lambert, and Jason Lambert as well as many, many adored nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, extended family and many friends.

Visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, of Melfort.

• Date : 2011-08-10 06:00:00