Walter James Wray, 81, transitioned to his heavenly home on Friday, September 30, 2022 at Atrium Health-Cleveland in Shelby, North Carolina. He was born on November 21, 1940 in Lawndale, NC. Walter was the son of the late James and Essie Lou (Moon) Wray.

Walter was the third of eight children. Growing up on a farm he learned the value of hard work. After high school Walter was employed with a construction company in Hickory, NC, Later, he began working at PPG retiring after 39 years of service.

A Life Well Spent… Walter grew up in Cleveland County, NC where he attended Douglas High School in Lawndale, NC He was always very studious and interested in education. He would help his younger siblings with their homework after finishing his own. He loved History, and was an avid reader. He was especially proficient in knowing information about all of the United States Presidents. He was like a walking encyclopedia and could recite pertinent information about all presidents from the first to the current president and their terms. He was also an avid Bible reader and scholar. He could tell you where to find many scriptures. You could always find him with paper and pen in his hand.

His Family Life Walter was united in holy matrimony to Dorothy Fuller. To this union of 55 years they were blessed with four children, three sons, and one daughter. Walter became ill in 2006. He was blessed to receive a heart transplant. This allowed him to live an additional 15 plus years. He was a family man and loved spending time with his children teaching them to be honest respectable, loving children to their families and elders.

His Christian Service… Walter was a life-long member of Palmer Grove Baptist Church, baptized as a child by his uncle Rev. Eddie Wray, who was then pastor. Walter enjoyed serving in many positions throughout the years. He was a trustee, teacher of the Adult Sunday school Class, and served as a member of the Male Choir.

Hobbies and Interest… Walter was a quiet spoken man who said what was on his mind when he needed to. He loved watching football (Tennessee Titans), basketball (Carolina) and traveling from state to state to the Generation of Leaves Family Reunion where he would have the time of his life visiting and conversing with other family members. He was very skilled in house painting; heloved painting and was really good at it. He was very good at building various things such as picnic tables and chairs.

In Memory… In addition to his grandparents and parents, Walter was preceded in death by two sisters Lillian Corprew and Janie Samuel, two nephews, Derrick Frye and Michael Stephens, his Mother-in-law Elizabeth Fuller, and Father-in-law Joe Lee Fuller.

Those who remain… His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 55 years Dorothy Fuller Wray, three sons, Carl Lee Wray (Gloria), Suffolk Virginia, Edward Wray (Kimberly) of Conover, NC and Steven Wray of Shelby, One daughter Bernice Wray Whitaker of Durham, NC. Eleven grandchildren, Shequenta Wray (Wendell, NC), Shanika Crisan, (Radu) (MD), James Whitaker, Jr. (Durham, NC), Brittany Whitaker (Atlanta, GA), Sara Carlton (Charlotte, NC), Kelsey Wray (Wilkesboro, NC) Ashton Wray (Kings Mountain, NC), Lydia Patterson (Wilkesboro, NC), Naya Patterson (Kings Mountain, NC), Joshua Mackey (New York) Justin Wray (Shelby, NC); four great- grandchildren Joshua Richardson-Whitaker and Sarai Richardson- Whitaker of Durham, NC, King Mableton of Goldsboro, NC and Alaiah Gill of Kings Mountain, NC Four sisters Betty Frye of Philadelphia, Pa, Patsy Stephens (Charles), Kings Mountain, NC, Marion Monroe and Linda Wray of Largo, MD.One brother, Ronnie Carl Wray (Vicki) Kingstown, NC.Four sisters-in-laws, Della Mae Fuller of Lawndale, NC, Mary Kee (Sonny) Shelby, NC, Estelle Ross of Kingstown, NC, Sara Ross (Chris) of Shelby, NC. Two Brothers-in-laws, Robert Fuller of Shelby, NC, and Danny Fuller(Tamara) of Shelby NC as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special caregiver, Faye who was an indispensable support during the last months of his life.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Palmer Grove Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the church and at other times at the home. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.