Willis Edgar Gray

IN LOVING MEMORY OF WILLIS EDGAR GRAY - Willis E. Gray passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 9, 2011, in Sierra Madre. Born on January 25, 1917 in Cypress Valley, Arkansas, Willis was the seventh of eight children born to Charles Porter and Martha Ella Gray. At the age of two, he moved with his family to the small farming community of Vilonia in central Arkansas. Along with his six brothers and one sister, he contributed his fair share to the chores of life on a small farm. Church was an important part of family life. Willis' paternal grandmother and great grandmother, along with forty others, established the Arkansas Holiness Bible College and founded the first Nazarene church in Vilonia. The Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 30s caused dire conditions for the community, and at age 19, Willis went west in search of work, taking his faith with him. Willis worked any jobs he could find and always sent a portion of each check to his parents. This practice continued throughout his parents' lives. He worked as an off-bearer, grocery clerk, department store salesman, a fresh bakery truck driver, and as a milkman. Willis met Margaret Kent Bartholomew through a friend at Pasadena Nazarene College (now Pt. Loma Nazarene University) and they were married in October, 1941. She was his precious bride for fifty-five years before passing in 1996. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, found the newlyweds returning from church to hear the news that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. The following day, Willis enlisted in the Army Air Corp and Margaret joined the Coast Guard soon after. The war ended and they settled in D.C. where Willis worked for the Metropolitan Newspaper Org. for several years. When a west coast office opened, they returned to Pasadena and he continued employment with that organization for eight more years. In 1957, Willis opened his own real estate office in San Marino and ran a successful business for fifteen years before moving to San Diego where they owned and operated an antique furniture store that offered stripping and refinishing. Missing their church and friends in Pasadena, they returned home where Willis accepted the position of Business Administrator for First Church of the Nazarene in 1980. For five years Willis served in that position during the purchase of land and the building of the new church campus in east Pasadena. In 1985 Willis accepted the position of Pastor of Congregational Care and continued serving his Lord and his church through visitation and prayer for those in need: those facing surgery; in mourning; hospitalized; in terminal illnesses; confined to their homes and in care and retirement facilities. No matter what time of day or night, he was there to give comfort and encouragement and to pray over those in need, whether they were members of the church or not. He officiated and participated in many funerals and memorial services. He also led the Prayer and Fasting group on Tuesdays and the Early Christians prayer group who met at 6 AM every Friday. He assisted with the Helping Hands ministry for those in the greater community who had needs. He personally provided financial assistance to many who had a worthy cause. Willis mentored many throughout his life and was an example of how to share God's love with others. Up to a week before his passing, he was praying for and blessing those around him. His presence is missed but his influence lives on in the lives of those he touched with his gentle servant's heart. Willis is survived by one brother, Dr. C. Paul Gray, and many nieces and nephews and their families. Willis and Margaret had no biological children, but he was everyone's "Uncle Willis". A celebration of Willis' life will be held on May 14th at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of the First Church of the Nazarene, 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES of his church.