William Joseph Gray

Deacon William Joseph “Bill” Gray, 83, of Hamilton, Illinois, passed away at 11:05 AM, Monday, April 4, 2022, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

Bill was born December 27, 1938, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of William Bride and Willa Delores (Lower) Gray.  He attended Hamilton High School and graduated in 1957 lettering in football, track, band, and chorus. Bill attended the University of Illinois where he attained his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1961. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, served on the Interfraternity Council and completed an internship with the National Livestock and Meats Board. He continued his support of the University of Illinois throughout his life, especially St. John’s Catholic Chapel and St. John’s Newman Center. On June 24, 1961, he was united in marriage to Elaine Steimel at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in DeKalb, Illinois.  Bill was a lifelong farmer and active member of his community and church.  Bill served on the Hancock County Extension Service Ag Council, the Hancock County Farm Bureau, was treasurer for the Hancock County Building and Grounds, president of the Hamilton School Board, assisted in organizing the Hancock County Pork Producers, was a 50-year trustee for Montebello Township and served on the Security State Bank and Marine Bank and Trust Boards.  Bill and Elaine were active as 4-H leaders when their children were younger.  In 1992, Bill was ordained a Permanent Deacon, served the Hancock County Catholic churches, and dedicated his life to this ministry at that point.  Bill and Elaine led the high school youth group, HEART Ministry, for around 20 years and he was very active in the Quincy Cursillo Movement, participating in nearly 50 weekends.

Bill is survived by his wife, Elaine, of Hamilton; five children, William Cary (Lisa) Gray of Hamilton, Carla Jean (James) Farley of Omaha, NE, Caron Jo Gray of Omaha, NE, Craig Joseph (Lucia) Gray of Mahtomedi, MN and Christopher Alexander (Misty) Gray of Nixa, MO; grandchildren, Lindsey (David) Henson, Courtney (Brad) Newcomer, Caleb (Jenny) Gray, Logan (Rebecca) Gray, Sarah (Benjamin) Gill, Joseph (Tabatha) Farley, Michael Minckler, Amanda Minckler, Marin Gray, Connor Gray, Maddi Gray and Hudson Gray; great grandchildren, Grady and Emma Henson, Avery and Abby Newcomer, Liam, Fiona and Isabel Gray, Fulton Gray, and Ronan and Torrin Gill; and one sister, Julie Might of Morrisville, NC.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday morning, April 9, 2022, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Nauvoo with burial to follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton.  Visitation will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church from 3:00 – 7:00 PM Friday evening with a rosary held at 3:00 PM at the church.  Memorials may be directed to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Nauvoo and St. John’s Catholic Chapel at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. 

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