Obituary of Walter Gray

Nags Head, NC Walter P. Gray, a beloved 55-year resident of Nags Head, died Sunday, January 11. Wally, as he was known by his friends, was born March 13, 1920 in St. Petersburg, VA. After high school, he attended two years of Wake Forest College (later Wake Forest University) where he left to join war efforts early as a pilot in the Royal Air Force in England. He was in England during the infamous assault of the German Blitzkrieg in 1942. As a 2nd Lieutenant in the R.A.F. he flew a night bomber called the Bristol Blenheim. After a serious crash, he received an honorable discharge from the R.A.F. and the Royal Air Force Flying Badge Medallion. He then transferred back to the United States in the Army Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1944 from the Army Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. He moved to the Outer Banks in 1948 and was founder and co-owner of Gray’s Department Store, and along with his wife, Stelle, established the Big Band Preservation Society of the Outer Banks. He had a passion for making people laugh and anyone who came in contact with him heard a ‘Wally joke’. He also passionately believed in his family, his Catholic faith, the brotherhood of man and his beloved Big Band music which he enthusiastically promoted on the Outer Banks for over 30 years. At the age of 62, after turning Gray’s Department Store over to three of his children, he graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a degree in psychology. He was preceded in death by Stelle, his wife of 54 years and is survived by son, Walter F. Gray of Boulder, CO.; son, Larry Gray of Southern Shores, NC; son Tony Gray and wife, Nancy of Vilas, NC; daughter, Julie Gray of Kill Devil Hills, NC; son, Ronnie Gray and wife Susan of Southern Shores, NC and eight grandchildren, Kelsey, Matthew, Owen, Jenna, Dalen, William, Patrick and Rachel Gray. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 15 at 12:30 PM at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kitty Hawk, NC. Family members will receive friends and loved ones at a reception immediately following the service in the reception hall of the Holy Redeemer. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Knights of Columbus, P.O. Box 413, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948. Burial plans of his ashes will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. The family would like to thank the caregivers of the Outer Banks Hospital, Albemarle Hospital and Britthaven Nursing Home. The family would also like to thank Allyson Jackson for her care of Walter Gray the last three years. Twiford’s Colony Chapel in Manteo is handling arrangements. Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.