2021
MSgt Retired William Kenneth Gray was born October 2, 1945 and joined the Lonely Eagles September 17, 2015. His grandparents Mary Elizabeth and Samuel Gray, his mother Barbara W. Gray, his brother Eugene Malcolm Gray and the mother of his children Betty M. Gray, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania whom proceeded him in death.
He graduated from the Murrell Dobbins Vocational School in January 1943 as a commercial artist. He was drafted in December 1943, selected as an Aviation Cadet and completed basic training at Keesler Field. After Bombardier training at Tuskegee, he completed the Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall Field, Florida in December 1944. Then came Advanced Bombardier training at San Angelo, Texas where Mr. Gray finished as one of only 6 “colored” cadets in a class of 114 and was appointed a Flight Officer. Mr. Gray was then assigned to primary pilot training in Class 46-A at Tuskegee, flying out of Moton Field. The end of World War II ended his aerial training and in February 1946 he separated (initially) from the military.
Mr. Gray then used his artistic abilities, working for the Philadelphia Tribune and the Pittsburgh Courier, until his Cadet/Flight Officer experiences brought him back to the military in September 1947 as a Sergeant performing duties in teletype, cryptography, and special services.
In the spring of 1952, 2nd Lieutenant (later Captain) Gray was commissioned in the Air Force Reserve, from which he retired after 28 years in June 1973.
Following retirement, Ken served as senior manager and loan officer for credit unions in San Diego and Austin, as well as positions with Randalls Food Market and the Wal Mart store chains.
He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife Vera Maxine Gray of Austin Texas, his loving children William Kenneth Gray Jr. and wife Carolann of Wales, England, Cheryl A. Edward and husband Steven of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Leslie Allan Gray of Mesa, Arizona. Stepchildren, Eugene J. Allen, Sandra M. Allen and Karen Allen Morris of San Diego, California, Steve E. Allen and wife Veronica of Winchester California, Tracy L. Allen and wife Lori of Houston, Texas. Daughter-in-law Jane Ceal Allen of Eugene, Oregon. Grand children, William Kevin Gray of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marsharika Rebecca Allen of Singapore, Major, Micah E. Allen US Army, of Sumter, South Carolina, Talithe P. Allen of Portland, Oregon, Augustus S. Allen of San Fernando, California, Jasmine L. Doyle-Allen of Santa Clarita, California, Loren C. L. Hall of Bakersfield, Brian Douglas Morris II and Steven E. Allen of San Diego, California, Alysha, Miles, Khambrea Allen of Houston, Texas, Maria Adriana Allen of Winchester, California and twelve great grandchildren. Kenneth leaves a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends to mourn his passing, yet celebrate his life.
Mr. Gray and his wife resided in Cedar Park, outside ofAustin, Texas.