Memorial Service Information and Obituary

Posted by on Jul 30, 2013 in Updates | 11 Comments

As promised, here are the details for Will’s memorial services. We are presently looking into a way to broadcast the services via internet. If that becomes and option, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Nashville Memorial Service:
Friday, August 2nd
2pm
Fellowship Bible Church
1210 Franklin Road
Brentwood, Tennessee

Private Funeral:
Sunday, August 4th
Azalia, Indiana

Los Angeles Memorial Service:
Saturday, August 10
2pm
Hollywood Presbyterian Church
Hollywood, California

There will be a service in Paris, Tennessee at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Angie has requested that donations be made to a foundation she is setting up to support independent artists. Both she and Will knew intimately the daily struggle of being an independent maker of things, whether paying rent or buying a new microphone. So, to honor Will’s memory and his and Angie’s unceasing commitment to good work—even when the only resources they had to work with were the people who loved them—send checks to the foundation made payable to Mindfree Entertainment at 10153 Riverside Drive #519, Toluca Lake, CA 91602. Include “foundation” on the memo line. You can also give at http://GoTeamGray.com/gifts. When you press the Donate button, simply leave a note indicating what the funds are for.

Continued donations to Will and Angie to cover outstanding medical bills, funeral costs, and cost-of-living can be made through the #GoTeamGray Gift page.

William “Will” Lee Gray, 33, departed this world Friday, July 26, 2013 at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, AZ of cancer. He was a resident of Los Angeles, CA and a member of Pacific Crossroads Church. Will was born June 29, 1980 in Yonkers, NY to Barbara and Johnny Gray. The youngest of four siblings, he moved with his family from New York to Paris, TN in 1989. Multi-talented even as a child, he excelled in sports, academics and choir. He graduated Henry County High School in 1998 and attended Union University in Jackson, TN on a full basketball scholarship, developing life-long friendships, including one with the girl who would one day become his wife. In 2001, Will was awarded a residency at The Contemporary Music Center on Martha’s Vineyard, the nation’s only artist colony for musicians. A watershed experience, his time at the CMC shifted his musical focus, challenged his views of the world, and brought him more deep and lasting friendships. From there, he continued on as a member of the band he co-founded in college, the acoustic Hip-Hop trio, Scratch Track, touring nationwide for two years. He married his college sweetheart, Angie Ross on November 27, 2004 in Rockville, IN. In 2007, Gray released his debut solo record, Introducing Will Gray, to wide critical acclaim. Gray conceived and directed the award-winning documentary, Broke*, which was selected to premiere at the Nashville Film Festival and received the Special Jury Prize for Most Original Vision. In 2011, he signed to a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Music. In 2012, he released an EP, The Renegade, with friend and bandmate, Reva Williams. His original songs have been licensed repeatedly and recorded by CMA Entertainer of the Year, Blake Shelton, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band. He shared the stage over the years with many diverse acts. He was funny and hard-working, articulate and kind. Playing music with his friends, helping people whose art and life and music he believed in, trying to live a life informed by the gospel of Christ, producing work of his own to help people feel and think their way through difficult realities—these things typified Will and he loved doing them with his love and true partner, Angie. He is survived by his beloved wife, Angie; his parents, Johnny and Barbara Gray; siblings Joelle Storr, Jonathan Gray and Michael Gray; his Uncle Samual and Aunt Gail; his nephew Mekhi, his niece Monique, other nieces and nephews; parents-in-law Bill and Dianna Ross, his sister-in-law, Kelli Ross; his brother-in-law, John Ross; his grandmother-in-law, Rachel Ross; and many, many friends. A memorial service will be held at Fellowship Bible Church located at 1210 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN on Friday, August 2 at 2pm. A private service for family will be held Sunday in Azalia, IN. A service will also be held Saturday, August 10 at 2pm at Hollywood Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, CA. There will be a service in Paris, TN at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Will and Angie’s foundation for the support of independent artists can be made through Mindfree Entertainment.

11 Comments

  1. Mary Lou Batlan
    August 8, 2013

    With deepest sympathy to Angie and the world of family and friends, supporting you in thought, prayer, and presence now.
    We have come to know Will through Jonathan and Diane, and are so sorry for this loss of one so talented, so caring, so loved.
    Know that we continue to care for you through our prayers. May our Loving God hold you in his hands, for comfort, peace, healing.
    In prayer,
    Mary Lou and Westlake United Methodist Church
    Austin, Texas

    Reply
  2. Lynn Beck
    August 1, 2013

    Continuing to pray that Christ will bind up broken hearts .

    Reply
  3. Jessica
    July 31, 2013

    Love & prayers to you & for you Angie, Kelli, John & family. You are so loved!

    Reply
  4. Marguerite Vulfs
    July 31, 2013

    I was just resting after a very long 13 and a half hour drive from attending my sister Hope’s memorial service. Somehow I knew Will had died. Please know that he will not be forgotten by me as he and Angie touched my heart. I will remember his smile and his courage. As well, the clear devotion and love that Will and Angie had between them. I am so sorry for your loss. My sister deeply cared for your family.

    Reply
  5. Beth
    July 31, 2013

    “Knowing that our connections with loved ones do not end with the death of the physical body and the brain is such a comfort. In fact, those connections are eternal, and we can all come to know that in a very deep, powerful way, by starting with the belief and then opening up to the reality. If we ask, they will give us that information in ways that are irrefutable, and very validating.” (Eben Alexander)

    Reply
  6. Donna
    July 31, 2013

    I did not know Will or Angie personally, but attended Union University during my Undergraduate degree. I am so saddened by Will’s passing, but amazed to feel a part of a group that has been brought together over this story. Many of us did not have the chance to meet Will in person, but have been drawn in by the wonderful expressions of love found on this page. Through every post we saw heartbreak, strength, and above all else, love.
    I may not ever understand why such a beautiful couple had to endure so much pain, but I am amazed at what Will and Angie have accomplished even through this struggle. You have inspired me in my marriage to love as I have seen you love, and to have faith even in the face of such incredible hardship.
    You have both accomplished more than you will ever know in the lives of the thousands of visitors who come to this page daily. Will’s legacy is on the lips of strangers and will continue to be for a very long time, and that is more than most can say. I can’t imagine the pain you are feeling right now, but know that your struggle was not in vain. You created a platform and shared when sharing had to be so hard. You opened your lives to strangers and inspired us with your faith in God. This page and this story are a testimony. You have been an inspiration to me and my family. Thank you for allowing me to see Christ through you.

    Reply
  7. Alan Siebenaler
    July 31, 2013

    I am torn between the sadness of the loss and the celebration of a life well lived. Our sympathy goes out to you and the family. This really was a beautiful picture of Will’s life. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. rebecca thompson
    July 30, 2013

    Dear Angie,

    God is certainly working through Will’s life on earth and your life in many ways.
    It’s evident that though broken hearted, you are strong in ways that others are drawing on and your faith in God’s love even through the questions is a testimony to BE REAL and to just keep going even when you don’t want to take another step.

    To Will’s family, please know that he inspired me and I will never ever forget his spirit. He was a powerful force even through his days of transition. May you be greatly comforted in many ways.

    sending love and faith that there is a divine plan unfolding

    Reply
  9. Barbara Bryant
    July 30, 2013

    Sending all of you deepest sympathy and prayer

    Reply
  10. Kathy Gathro
    July 30, 2013

    Tears of sorrow–yet reading this also brings tears of joy. .. .. what a privilege to be counted among Will’s friends. . .My deepest condolences to Angie and her family and Will’s family. Thank you for this beautiful tribute. It also makes me so thankful for the CMC and all the friends who have been a part of it and of Will’s journey. Blessings.

    Reply
  11. Mindi
    July 30, 2013

    What a beautiful, beautiful obituary.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Barbara Bryant

Cancel Reply