Kray, William 'Bill' John

William “Bill” John Kray, 64, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehab Center. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Monticello. The Rev. Darryl Larson will officiate at the service. Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello.

Surviving are his wife, Nina; three sons and their children: Michael (Kelly) Gage and Leah Kray of Marion; Matthew (Desiree) Ethan Kray of Altoona; and Marcus (Sarah) Kray of Loveland, Colo.; a sister, Joanne (Dan) Yousse of Monticello; two brothers, Gaylen (Pam) Kray of Monticello and Merlin (Dee) Kray of Monticello; and his lifelong friend, Don Tapken.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a special cousin, Denny Dirks.

William John Kray was born April 26, 1947, in Monticello, Iowa, the son of Lawrence and Anna (Dirks) Kray. He was a 1965 graduate of Monticello High School. On June 8, 1968, Bill and Nina Yonkovic were united in marriage at St. Luke Catholic Church in Hopkinton. Bill worked for LeFebure Corporation in Cedar Rapids for 25 years. He then went to work driving truck for Jerry McElmeel in Monticello; following that he worked for the Monticello Streets Department.

Bill was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Monticello. He enjoyed woodworking, building porch swings and other items, electric trains, horses and westerns, particularly with John Wayne.

Bill was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather and he treasured time he was given to spend with his family and friends. He will be missed dearly by those who knew him best.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association - East Central Iowa Chapter, 317 Seventh Ave. SE, Suite 402, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

Published Sept. 23, 2011, in The Gazette