Mr. Billy Gray

Mr. Billy Gray passed away on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Merit Health River Oaks Hospital.  His visitation will be Friday, August 13, 2021 at Ott & Lee Funeral Home from 5pm-8pm.  Funeral service will be held at 1pm Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Line Creek Baptist Church.  Burial will be in Cross Roads Baptist Cemetery.  Officiating the services will be Bro. Tal Vardaman, and Bro. Scott Walters.  Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Morton.

A career educator, Coach Gray retired from the Rankin County School District after 40 years where he worked at Pelahatchie High School for 23 years.  He also worked at Attala County School District at Ethel High School for 15 years.  He began his career in Louisiana for 2 years.  He was a graduate of Cross Roads High School, Hinds Community College, and the University of Southern Mississippi where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Coaching.

Coach Gray successfully coached junior high and high school boys’ and girls’ basketball.  He is well known for his achievements on and off the court.  He inspired deep love and loyalty from players and colleagues.  His faith, humanity, and decency were his foundations.

Generations of students and players will never forget the example he set forth in the classroom, on the court, and in life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, William Guy Gray and Clara Bell Cooper Gray; sister, Betty Opal Crawford and brother, John T. Gray.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra Huff Gray of Pelahatchie; children, Lynn Salers and husband, Andy of Pelahatchie, Sharon McDonald and husband, Kyle of Sylvester, GA and Brad Gray of Pelahatchie; 8 grandchildren, Courtney Rhodes, Gatlin Rhodes (Jackie), Anna Grace Salers (Adam), Macy Katherine Salers, Samantha McDonald, Ella Rose McDonald, Tyler Gray and Kalyn Gray; 2 great grandchildren, Leya Rhodes and Ava Grace Minton and a host of friends.

Memorials may be made in his honor to Billy Guy Gray Scholarship Fund, 135 Story Rd., Sylvester, GA 31791.