Wayne Ellwood Gray, Sr. passed away on Nov. 2, 2022 at his home just outside of Laurel, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Cambridge on Jan. 13, 1936 to the late Shelton and Linnie Bell Gray.
Wayne retired as a mechanic for the E.I. DuPont Company in Seaford. Wayne spent his early childhood on Elliott Island before his family moved to Vienna. He graduated from North Dorchester High School in 1958. After graduation, Wayne joined the Army and spent time in Colorado and Germany. He was a member of Sailors Bethel United Methodist Church. Wayne loved to go dancing to his favorite band “The Jones Boys,” and also enjoyed working on cars for family and friends, and napping on the back porch. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his quick wit in telling a funny story or joke.
Wayne is survived by his wife Beverly Gray; son, Wayne Gray, Jr., and his wife Tammy Knowles Gray; grandsons, Thomas Wayne Gray, Shelton James Gray and his companion Amirah Moize; step-sons, Curtis Bell and his wife Maggie and David Bell and his wife Shirley; step-daughter, Cynthia Williams and her husband Chris; brother, Eldridge Gray, five step-grandchildren, six step-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive him.
A visitation will be held Monday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Sailors Bethel United Methodist Church, 7752 Main Street in Bethel. A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Pastor Bill Nack will officiate. Interment will follow in Bethel Community Cemetery.
Contributions may be sent in Mr. Gray’s honor to Sailors Bethel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 187, Bethel, Delaware. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.