William "Bill" R. Gray

William (Bill) Richard Gray, 74, of Ordway, Colorado passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, November 24, 2025.

Bill was born April 24, 1951, in La Junta, Colorado to Richard and Evelyn Gray. Bill graduated from Crowley County High School in 1970 and from Lamar Community College in 1972. Bill and Debbie married in 1986 and enjoyed 39 years of marriage. They raised 8 children together in Crowley County.

Bill was a long time resident and pillar of the Crowley County community. Bill is a rancher and cattleman with the homestead south of Ordway. Bill and his family have been in the cattle and agricultural industry for four generations and operated Gray ranches with his wife Debbie and son Shawn. Bill served on the Crowley County Fair Board, Crowley County School Board for eight years (president for four years), the Planning and Zoning Commission (2008- present), West Otero Timpas Soil Conservation District (2008- present) was a long-time member of the Colorado Cattleman’s Association serving as it’s president in 2005-2006 as well as National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member. Bill was also named an honorary lifetime member of Bent Prowers Cattle and Horse Growers Association, which is the oldest cattlemen’s association in the United States.

Along with ranching, Bill was an avid sportsman. He loved hunting and fishing with his kids and grandkids. You could find Bill at many events and activities for his children and grandchildren over the last five decades, but he was most vocal about his favorite sport; wrestling. He was a long-time supporter of the Crowley County Wrestling Team.

Bill was proceeded in death by his parents, Richard and Evelyn Gray and brother, David Grassmick.

Bill is survived by wife, Debbie of the home; sister, Linda (Pen) Gray of Sante Fe, New Mexico, sister-in-law, Glenda Grassmick of Longmont, Colorado, brothers-in-law, Doug (Sue) Johnson of Thousand Oaks, California and Rick Johnson of Pueblo, Colorado; children, Shawn Gray of Ordway, Jennifer (Charles) Maze of Holidaysburg, Pennsylvania, Kara (Chris) Stephenson of Colorado Springs, Shana (Brandon) Carpenter of Corvallis, Oregon, Allison (Dude) Buford of Ordway, Jodi (Chris) Tomky of Rocky Ford, Staci (Riley) Buford of Ordway, and Bill (Merisa) Gray of Broomfield. They also have 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral service will be on Monday, December 1, 2025 at River of Life Fellowship at 10:00 am. with Pastor Ed Rusher of the First Christian Church of Ordway officiating. Interment will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Ordway. Visitation will be on Monday, December 1, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the River of Life Church in Ordway.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Bill’s name can be made to the Crowley County Wrestling Club, c/o Crowley County High School, 602 Main Street, Ordway, CO, 81063, direct or through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.