Wayne Edward Wray Obituary (1940 - 2023)

Born Oct 25, 1940, Wayne Edward Wray attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Wayne Edward Wray.

Graduation Year	Class of 1960
Date of Birth	Oct 25, 1940
Date of Passing	Jun 17, 2023
About	Wayne Edward Wray, beloved husband, father, and papaw slipped peacefully from this life and entered the gates of heaven on June 17, 2023 at the age of 82. He was surrounded by those who loved him at the time of his passing. He spent the last month heroically battling against a thief called cancer. He was born on October 25, 1940 to Henry and Mable (Cheek) Wray in the family home on Bandy Road. He was the fifth of seven children. Mr. Wray spent most of his 82 years on Bandy Road near the family home, where he made a life with his wife of 60 years, Barbara (Booth) Wray. They raised two children David and Kimberly and saw the birth of five grandchildren. Mr. Wray was well known in the Mount Pleasant community. He spent time working with the youth as a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for over fifty years. He was also an active member of the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club for over twenty years. Helping often with their community outreach projects like Breakfast with Santa and shopping for at risk children for back-to school items. He and Barbara are current members of Vinton Baptist Church. Mr. Wray spent time working at Wirtz Florist, Save-A-Stop, and Norfolk and Southern Railroad where he retired after 27 years of service. Wayne loved his family and spending time with them in some way. He was always quick with a smile or a laugh to help you feel at ease. He liked listening to southern gospel music, especially The Gaither Vocal Band and spending time on his front porch, usually with a dog on his lap or by his side. He will be remembered by his grandchildren for his love of plants, his ability to cook good chicken tenders and cabbage, his taste in afternoon shows like “Let’s Make a Deal” or “Law and Order: SVU” and just how nice and kind he was to everyone. Mr. Wray was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Mable, his brother Willard and sister-in-law Jewel of West Virginia, brothers Jack, Jim, and Danny as well as his only sister Betty. He leaves behind his loving wife Barbara, son David (Heather) Wray, daughter Kimberly Parrish (Matthew) both of Roanoke, Brother Barry and sister-in-law Dorinda (Payne) Wray of Elkins, West Virginia. Sister-in-law Norma Wray of Roanoke, as well as former sister-in-law Nadine (Wray) Sigmon of Rocky Mount, Virginia. Left here to carry on his legacy are his loving grandchildren Kallie and Brody Parrish, Ethan, Claire, and Mary Wray, of Roanoke, as well as countless cousins, nieces, and nephews. He also leaves behind his loving dogs Mocha and Prince, who never left his side.