William Robert ‘Bobby’ Gray

William Robert “Bobby” Gray passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2018, at his home in Huntsville, surrounded by his loving family. Graveside services were held on Aug. 23, in the Mexia Cemetery. Bobby was born Oct. 11, 1936, in Hazel Green, Ala., to William Brown Gray Sr. and Vada Allen. He and his mother moved to Marquez in 1939. After Bobby graduated from Marquez High School, Class of 1954, he joined the Air Force and served in Korea from 1954-1958. In 1958, Bobby began part-time classes at K.C. Junior College, then entered South Texas College for three years (1961-1964). Bobby began his 58-year career in the oil field industry with Macco Oil Tools; he was Vice President of Sales at the time of his departure. He went to work for McMurry Oil Tools in 1976 as Vice President of Marketing and later was promoted to President and C.E.O. Bobby relocated the company to Huntsville in 1980. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling internationally, meeting people and seeing their business operations. His career also consisted of teaching gas lift schools and being a frequent guest lecturer at Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University. In addition, Bobby designed, manufactured and secured patents for his plungers. In his spare time, Bobby enjoyed traveling, ranching, raising Black Brangus cattle, cars and Longhorn football. He had been an active member of Northside Baptist Church in Huntsville since 2006. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Allison Kilway; mother and stepdad, Vada and Gunny Allen of Marquez; father William Brown Gray Sr.; half-brother William Brown Gray Jr.; dear sister Billie Gray Smith, all of Tennessee; and special cousin Tom Miller, of New Market, Ala. Bobby is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Karen Ann Gray, of Huntsville; daughter Leslie A. and husband Randy Knopf, of Houston; son Stan A. Gray, of Houston; stepdaughter Leigh Ann White, of Houston; stepson Brandon Bates and wife Neysa, of Houston; grandchildren Travis Kilway, Taylor and husband Mark Appling, Leigha and husband Chris Burmaster, Korbyn Johnson and Madison Johnson, all of the Houston area; great-granddaughters Riley Michelle, Genna, Maysilee and Everleigh Allison, 6 months old; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, from Tennessee, Alabama and Texas. Bobby’s family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to caregivers, Ms. Charlene, Ms. Sheri and therapist Neva for all your help during our time of need. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a fund of choice for diabetes or Northside Baptist Church Building Fund in Huntsville. Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.