William Duane "Bill" Gray

William “Bill” Duane Gray, 87, of Boggstown, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2025, at his home.

He was born July 4, 1938, in Sugar Creek Twp., Shelby County, Indiana, the son of Herman and LaVern (Rouse) Gray. On October 6, 1956, he married Janet Marie Mann, the love of his life, whom he shared 59 ½ years of marriage until her death in May 2016.

Bill is survived by three daughters, Debra Davidson (John) of South Haven, Michigan, Rhonda Parsons (Jeff) of Gun Lake, Michigan, and Susan Borkes (Randy), of Murrieta, California; one son, Michael Gray of Boggstown; grandchildren, Kyle Patterson (Loren), Kara Torres (Eli), Natalie Jones (Terry), Bryan Parsons (Nicole), Ross Parsons, Jason Borkes and Adam Borkes; and eight great-grandchildren.

Bill grew up in Sugar Creek Township on County Road 500 N. and graduated from Boggstown High School in 1956. Bill, Janet and their four children, moved to Boggstown in 1964 at the present farm on Boggstown Road.

Bill was a life-long farmer with the exception of a couple of years when he worked for a local bank. He farmed in partnership with his father, Herman Gray, and son, Michael Gray, for many years.

Bill was also a dairy farmer milking an average of 50 head of Holsteins and later raised hogs for a few years. He was proud of his accomplishments and worked very hard to succeed.

In earlier years, Bill was an avid water skier. In the 1980’s, he earned his pilot’s license and later owned his own plane, often flying around the Midwest. He looked forward each year to flying to Oshkosh, Wisconsin to attend the Annual Fly-In.

Bill was a former Sugar Creek Township trustee for eight years, 1972 through 1979. Bill was a member of the Fairland Baptist Church and also served in the Indiana National Guard.

Bill enjoyed traveling with his family, which included summer vacations out West. Bill and Janet traveled extensively as a couple, both throughout the United States and abroad, with Australia being their favorite place to visit. He and Janet wintered in Florida for several years, where Bill joined a shuffleboard league and won championships.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 pm, Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.

The funeral services will follow at 3 pm, Saturday, at the funeral home, with Rev. Bill Horner officiating.

Burial will be in Boggstown Cemetery in Boggstown.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice, 9775 Crosspoint Blvd #118, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256 or Meals on Wheels, 2705 N. Richard Dr., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.

Online condolences may be shared with Bill’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.