William "Bill" Charles Gray DVM

On August 17, 2024, Dr. William C. Gray peacefully passed away at the age of 94.

“Bill” was born Sept 4, 1929 in Newton, NJ to John and Lillian Gray and had six siblings, John, George, Alice, Daniel, Jane (who survives), and Whitfield.

He graduated from Newton High School in 1947, attended Rutgers University, went to Ontario Veterinary College, University of Toronto and graduated in 1954 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Bill returned to Newton to practice veterinary medicine with his father, Dr. John S. Gray, who was retiring after 30 years. Bill built Newton Veterinary Hospital in 1960 and practiced there until 1997. When retiring, the practice had grown to include 5 veterinarians and 21 staff members. The practice continues to serve the community today under new leadership.

Bill married his college sweetheart in 1954 and they settled in Newton. His wife, Mildred “Anne” Fletcher, graduated from MacDonald Hall, University of Toronto with a degree in Household Science. They raised four daughters, Patricia Redline (husband Richard Redline), Catherine Deering (husband Thomas Deering), Nancy Gray (husband Thomas Lynch) and Mary Beth Gray (husband Edward Sigl). They were blessed with 7 grandchildren (Brit, Whitney (husband Thomas Sherman), Collin (wife Victoria Peck-Gray), Courtney (husband Benjamin Wright), Wesley (wife Rebecca Shaffer), Will, and Caroline) and 8 great-grandchildren (August, London, Grayson, Maple, Blair, Kate, Brooks, and Elliot). Bill’s beloved wife, Anne, passed away on June 28, 2018.

While in high school, Bill was on the football, baseball and wrestling teams. He was a two-time N.J. state wrestling champion (1945 and 1946). He attended Rutgers University for two years and then went to Ontario Veterinary College. He was a varsity wrestler at Rutgers for two years and won the Canadian Intercollegiate Wrestling Championship twice while in veterinary school.

Bill was very involved in the Sussex County community, with service including:

Board Member, Newton Memorial Hospital, for 24 years and as Board Chair in 1992

Board Member, Selective Insurance Co., for 10 years, 1992-2002

Newton Rotary Club member for 60 years, and as President in 1964; Paul Harris Fellow

Director, Sussex & Merchants National Bank, for 20 years, 1970-1990

Director, Newton Trust Company, 1992-2002 (which later became Lakeland Bank)

Director, Dennis Memorial Library, President 8 years

Director, Newton Cemetery for 35 years, President for 15 years

Member, American Veterinary Medical Association, since 1954

President of Northwest New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, 1964

Member, Newton Public Schools Board of Education 1967-1970

Past Elder, Deacon and Trustee of Newton First Presbyterian Church

Bill was elected to the Newton High School Hall of Fame 1998 and was honored by the Boy Scouts of America with the Sussex County Distinguished Citizen Award.

Bill will be remembered for his kind heart, generous spirit, and devotion to his family, friends, and community. He was cherished by many and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held from 7 pm to 9 pm on Friday, August 30, 2024, at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St, Newton, NJ. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 54 High St, Newton, NJ. Interment will immediately follow at the Newton Cemetery, Lawnwood Ave, Newton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, NJ or the Patriots Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America.