Cover photo for Wilmer Oscar Gray's Obituary
Wilmer Oscar Gray Profile Photo
1930 Wilmer 2017

Wilmer Oscar Gray

February 24, 1930 — September 20, 2017

WILMER OSCAR GRAY, JR. A LOVING AND DEVOTED HUSBAND, FATHER AND GRANDFATHER Wilmer Oscar Gray Jr. was born on February 24, 1930, to the parentage of Wilmer Oscar Gray Sr. and Ocie Bell Gray, in Neches, Texas. Dad was the first born in a family of nine children; six boys and three girls. Wilmer’s military career included graduation from Artillery Officer Candidate School in 1953 and subsequent commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. His first overseas assignment was to Korea for a sixteen month tour. Returning stateside, he began assignments in the Philadelphia and New Jersey Command. During this 1955 - 1958 tour, he met and married Mary Irene Weedon, an elementary school teacher from Maryland. In January 1963, while in Germany, Wilmer was promoted to Major and assigned to an Artillery Group as Assistant and subsequently Operations Officer. Leaving Germany in 1965, the Gray family now included six children: Patricia, Willeta, Michael and Michele, Dwayne, and Pamela. The family arrived in El Paso in August 1965 and decided to establish roots in northeast El Paso. Major Wilmer O. Gray, Jr. served in Vietnam from August 1967 to 1968. By God’s grace, he returned to his family and to Ft Bliss. Then In August 1972, Lt. Colonel Gray was assigned as Deputy Commander, Heilbronn Post, Germany. After an honorable military career, he retired April of 1974. Following his military retirement, Wilmer began his second career in education as a teacher. He earned his Master's Degree at the University of Texas at El Paso. He was among a group of black educators who petitioned the EPISD to have African American men and women in administrative and central office ranks. Wilmer retired on December 31, 2001 after 28 years as a teacher and Assistant Principal. He was very proud to continue the legacy of his parents in the field of education. In 1998, along with his siblings and their families, Wilmer celebrated the opening of Gray Elementary School named after his father, W. O. Gray, Sr. in Mesquite ISD. Outside of work, Dad joined and participated in the UTEP Circle of Champions, American Legion, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Lions Club, Prairie View A&M Alumni Association, El Paso Black Democrats, NAACP and as a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. Wilmer and Irene traveled the world - visiting Russia, China, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Panama, Hawaii and Alaska. In 2016, they celebrated 60 years of marriage, partnership, and love. Wilmer is survived by his wife, Irene; daughters, Pat (Ron), Willeta, Michele (Michael), and Pam and now sole son, Michael (Theresa). His brothers: Brucy (Ethel), Edward (Joyce), Maceo (Ann), James (Carol), and Everette (Sharon). His sisters: Olivia and Mary (Marshall). Grandchildren: Kimberly and Shellee (Pat), Vera (Willeta), Desmond and Brandon (Michele), Elizabeth (Michael) and great-grandson Javon (Kim). Plus, many more nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends. We celebrate the life of Wilmer O. Gray, a selfless man who believed in God, family and country. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 pm with Reflections of Life at 7:00pm on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass, El Paso, TX 79904. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 3201 Frutas Ave, El Paso, TX 79905. Committal Service will follow at 1:00 pm at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.
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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, September 28, 2017

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Sunset Funeral Home Northeast

4631 Hondo Pass Drive, El Paso, TX 79904

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Reflection of Life

Thursday, September 28, 2017

7:00 - 7:45 pm

Sunset Funeral Home Northeast

4631 Hondo Pass Drive, El Paso, TX 79904

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Funeral Service

Friday, September 29, 2017

11:00am - 12:30 pm

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