Kray, William R. 'Bill'

William R. “Bill” Kray, 73, of Vinton, died Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton, with the Rev. Karen Larson officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Bill was born Aug. 18, 1937, in Vinton, to Russell E. and Edith (Kucker) Kray, and graduated in 1955 from high school in Vinton. On Sept. 27, 1974, he was united in marriage to Lois Holliday Geiger at Vinton.

Bill loved farming and his farm. He truly enjoyed following his grandchildren's activities and was a man who loved kids in general, and all kids adored Bill. He also greatly valued the company of his friends.

He is survived by his wife, Lois of rural Vinton; his sons, Steven (Mary) Kray of Cedar Rapids and Brian Geiger of Van Horne; his daughter, Shelley Kray of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren, MistyDawn, Jeremiah, Chelsea, Cortland, Jacob, Caitlin and Jessica; four great-grandchildren, Preston, Gavin, Alex and Lyniann; his stepmother, Ruth Kray of Cedar Rapids; his brothers, Jim (Anita) Kray of Boyden and David (Gloria) Kray of Newhall; his sister, Janet Baburek of Cedar Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Russell; his mother and stepfather, Edith and Albert; his first wife, Linda; his granddaughter, Brittany; and his nephew, Jason.

A memorial fund has been established.

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