William F. Grady, Jr.

William Francis Grady, Jr., 89, passed away on Sunday, December 12, 2021.

Bill, cherished husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather was born Dec. 27, 1931, in Amarillo, Texas. He graduated from Denton High School (Texas) in 1950, where he played saxophone and was the student director of the band. Bill was a Veteran of the United States Navy where he served as a Naval Photographer during the Korean War. He then went on to graduate 2nd in his class from Texas Tech University in 1960, with a degree in Architecture.

Bill spent the majority of his professional career, 25 years, as a partner with F&S Partners, a commercial architecture firm in Dallas, TX, specializing in the design of large institutional projects: educational, recreational and religious. Several of Bill’s projects included the UT (University of Texas) Aquatic Center - Austin, TX; UT Southwestern Medical School,Dallas TX; the Dallas Central Library, and the Texas A&M University Student Center, in College Station, TX.

Bill’s life was characterized by his faithfulness to God and to his family. Bill married Mary Ruth Wilkerson June 13, 1959. He lived a life of integrity. His personality was characterized by the kindness and patience he always displayed through his interactions with his family, friends, and others. Following his retirement, Bill and Mary Ruth resided in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, for over 16 years, and then moved to Hoschton, GA, where they resided for the past 10 years.

Always looking for ways to serve and help others, Bill served as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Dallas, and participated on the committee to build and design a new sanctuary for Village Bible Church in Arkansas. He was also a faithful Sunday School teacher to fourth grade boys for 25 years, volunteered with Gideon International, Hurricane Katrina clean up, and went on many mission trips, domestically and abroad, to share Christ’s love with others.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, the late William F. Grady, Sr. and Veda Howell Grady, his sister June Thurmond, brother Johnny Grady, and grandchildren Joy and Faith Jones.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mary Ruth Wilkerson Grady; children, Mary Margaret Grady and husband Jimmy Jones; Stephen Grady and wife, Mindee Grady; his sister, Mary Ellen Adair; 11 grandchildren; Daniel Jones and wife Hannah, Sarah De Leon and husband Edmundo, Hannah Perry, and husband Joey, Jonathan Jones and wife Brittany, Timothy Jones, Rebekah Jones, Josiah Jones, Mary Anne Jones, Matthew Grady, Hollee Grady, Ryan Grady; and eight great-grandchildren; Peyton Jones, Molly Kate Jones, Georgia Jones, Barrett Jones, Ellie DeLeon, Noah DeLeon, Adeline Jones and Isabelle Perry.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: One Kingdom Mission, Inc. 1526, Annapolis Way, Grayson, GA 30017 and/or The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: https://billygraham.org/give/give-online/ https://billygraham.org/give/mail-in-gift/

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 3:00 pm at Lord and Stephens West with Rev. David Whitworth officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 until 3:00 pm at the funeral home.

Lord and Stephens, West (1211 Jimmy Daniel Rd, Watkinsville, GA 30677) is in charge of arrangements.