WILLIAM ALEXANDER GRAY -

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WILLIAM ALEXANDER GRAY 1951 - 2010 (Royal Bank) Bill passed away August 7, 2010 at the Health Sciences Centre after a short illness. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Karen (née Wardley), son Madison Tanner Gray and daughter Laurel Simone Gray. He also leaves his mother Celestine Sally Gray, sister Laura, brothers Don, Doug (Jan) and their daughter Paige, niece Julie Pacin (Stefan) and their sons Lukas and Aleksander of Winnipeg. Bill was predeceased by his father Donald Gray and sister Linda Homann. Bill will also be missed by his Ontario in-laws Graham and Helen Wardley, sister-in-law Connie Vanderbaaren (John), brother-in-law Scott Wardley (Rita) and nieces Jennifer and Carolyn Devine, Ceci, Chloe and Lacey Wardley as well as his nephew Zachary Wardley. Bill was born in Oakville, Ontario June 30, 1951. His family later moved to Winnipeg where Bill attended St. Maurice School. Bill graduated from St. Paul's High School and then the University of Manitoba in Agricultural Economics. Bill quickly became a well-respected livestock market analyst, first with Statistics Canada, Agriculture Division in Ottawa and subsequently with Alberta Agriculture. However, Bill's love of helping people achieve their goals finally turned his career to banking and to the RBC Financial Group in Winnipeg. He began this facet of his career with the Head Office - Agriculture Department and then moved into financial planning, first with Royal Trust and then with Royal Bank. Bill was extremely proud of his two children. He revelled in their academic and athletic achievements. He was able to see his son Madison graduate from the University of Ottawa this June with a gold medal and was looking forward to watching him begin medical school this fall. He drove his daughter Louie to 6:00 a.m. ringette practices and recently watched her team win the provincial championship. Bill and Karen enjoyed a trip to Mexico this spring following Karen's retirement and planned on more travel with Bill's retirement next summer. Bill would have wanted to thank his I.R.P. colleagues and the staff of the various RBC branches for their friendship and support. The prayers and best wishes of Bill's many relatives and friends in Ontario have been much appreciated over the past few weeks. Special thanks to Dr. J. Horton, Dr. S. Pacin, Dr. J. Sokal, the many Health Sciences Centre staff and Fr. J. Newman of St. Ignatius who helped Bill and his family through this difficult time. Your contributions to improving his spirits were recognized and appreciated. Bill was active in the community as a coach and Scout committee chairman at Greendell Community Centre as well as a fundraiser for various worthy causes, including the University of Manitoba. The family would appreciate donations to a scholarship fund that will be established at the University of Manitoba in Bill's name. Donations will be accepted at any RBC branch. In accordance with Bill's wishes, a memorial service will be held Friday, August 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard with a reception to follow. A private interment will be held at a later date. THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 11, 2010