BERTRAND, MO. -- William Ronald Lynn "Ron" Gray, 77, of Bertrand, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at his home.

He was born April 29, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, to Hester Jackson Gray and William Edward Lester Gray.

He was a 1961 graduate of Cape Central High School. Ron went on to pursue many degrees including a bachelor's degree from University of Missouri-St. Louis; Master's and Specialist Degrees from Southeast Missouri State University and PhD in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

After completing graduate school, Ron began his work in the field of education as a guidance counselor and principal. He then finished his educational career as the superintendent of schools. In later years, he and his wife Angie, established a successful wealth management company, Charleston Financial Services, from the ground up.

Ron cherished time with his growing family and took pride in their accomplishments. He was an avid Cardinal baseball fan and enthusiastically enjoyed golf and online poker. He was a current member of Wyatt Baptist Church. Past memberships include; President of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Kiwanis Club and Cape Jaycees.

Loving survivors include his wife, Mary Angeline "Angie" Hannan Gray, of 15 years. To Ron's family, Angie added her two children, Jessica Nicole Evers and Jeremy Kyle Evers; and three grandchildren, Joshua Evers, Lillian Evers; and Jude Evers.

Ron was formally married in 1963 to Esther Marie Windisch Gray. From their union, they have four children, Gary Lynn (Kim) Gray, Sean Alan Gray, Brian William (Joanna) Gray and Angela "Angel" Gray (James) Niswonger. They also have 14 grandchildren, Colten Niswonger, Brianna Gray Silvers, Joseph Allen Gray, Micayla Gray Giffin, Rachel Niswonger, Megan Gray Arpin, Braden Niswonger, Max Gray, Jessica Gray Krauss, Brock Tuttle, Rafe Tuttle, Chase Gray, Grayson Niswonger and Kellen Niswonger; one great-grandson, Owen Holcomb Silvers and two on the way.

Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with Pastor Dean Wallace officiating. Burial will follow at Concord Cemetery, Olmsted, Illinois.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

The family requests facial covering or mask be worn during the visitation and funeral.