Wilfred W. “Willy” Gray

PORTAGE – Wilfred W. “Willy” Gray, age 86, of Portage, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at Divine Savior Healthcare Hospital in Portage.

Wilfred was born on February 15, 1925 in Wood County, Nekoosa, Wisconsin, the son of William D. and Zelda M. (Normington) Gray.  He served his country during World War II with the 101st Airborne.  Wilfred was married to Elizabeth Jacobson in Madison.  He was a member of B.P.O.E. Portage Lodge #675 and Madison V.F.W.  Willy loved to hunt and fish.  He was a founder and owner of Gray Bahl Body Shop in Madison.

He is survived by his son, Dennis (Jan) Gray;  two daughters, Patricia (Tim) Ralph and Linda Mathews;  his grandchildren, Kristi (Dean) Martin, Shelley (Doug) Maier, Becky (Scott) Smith, and Kelly (Cody) Camren;  his great-grandchildren, Megan, Cody, Kortney, Nick, Logan, Cora and Sadie;  his step-grandchildren, Susan (Jamie) Reid, Chad (Carrie) Routson, Eric (Deana) Routson, and Adam (Jolene) Routson;  his step-great-grandchildren, Dylan, Olivia, Alyssa, Taylor, Cohl, Madison, and Ashlyn;  his sisters, Bonita (Lynn) Gray, and Carroll (Pat) Gray;  other near relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elizabeth, his in-laws, Barnie and Gladys Jacobson, his brothers, William, Virgil, Gerald, Donny, and Fredrick, his sisters, Audrey, Beatrice and Betty Jane, and his son-in-law, Don Mathews.

Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with the Rev. Dick Inglett officiating.  Military Honors will follow, provided by Portage area veterans.  Inurnment will be private.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage.  A Service of Remembrance will be held at 6:15 p.m. on Friday by Portage Elks Lodge #675.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Columbia County Humane Society.