Dr. Willis Joseph (Joe) Bray Jr., D.O., D.A.B.O.S
Father: William Willis Joseph BRAY b: 21 JUL 1884 in Madison, Missouri
Mother: Virginia Abigail GRAHAM
Obituary
Abilene, TX
Dr. Joe Bray ended this Earthly journey at the age of 102 and made his transition back to Spirit on January 5, 2016 after a short illness and long rich life. Even though his sight & hearing declined with age, he enjoyed an active "senior" life remaining mentally alert until near the end.
Born in Kirksville, Missouri, November 3, 1913 to Willis J. Bray, Sr. & Virginia Graham Bray. He graduated from Kirksville State Teachers College, (Truman State University), before attending graduate school at the University of Missouri and Iowa State University. While teaching full time he attended Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine, (A. T. Stills University), receiving his first medical degree in June of 1941.
At the start of World War II he enlisted in the Navy as a Pharmacist Mate II, since the Navy did not recognize the Osteopathic Degree. He took a deck officer commission and served in the amphibious service in the 3 Theaters of Operation.
After WW II, Joe entered Southwestern Medical School, (the UT Southwestern) in Dallas, TX for his second medical degree, graduating in June 1950. He came to Abilene in June 1955 and completed his D.A.B.O.S (Diplomat of American Board of Orthopedic Surgery).
In Abilene, Joe was active in many civic organizations serving on many boards including the Abilene Philharmonic and Abilene Community Theater. He was also active in the Medical Societies at all levels. He enjoyed his work with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center and was a long time board member. In 2005 he was recognized by the Rehab Center for his years of service. He remained active in medicine until the age of 97 at the local Plasma Center.
Joe is survived by his daughter Betty, nephews J. Graham Bray, Jr., Layne Gulledge, Les Gulledge, Jerry Gulledge & Mike Gulledge, nieces Janie Fisher, Ginger Kosan, Deborah Seals, Lois Bell, Loralee Reed & Kimi Ann Higbee, sisters-in-law Betty Gulledge & Kimi Hadley, numerous great nieces & nephews and the many friends he considered to be family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his 3 brother, sister & wife Mildred (Millie) Gulledge Bray.
He always said that when he was done with this "mortal coil" he did not care what happened to it and according to his wishes his body will be cremated and private services held at a later date. If he touched your life in some way memorials can be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Hendrick Hospice Care or charity of your choice .
If the worth of a man's life is judged by the love, appreciation and respect he garnered walking this path, then Doc died a truly wealthy man.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene Texas.
Father: William Willis Joseph BRAY b: 21 JUL 1884 in Madison, Missouri
Mother: Virginia Abigail GRAHAM
Obituary
Abilene, TX
Dr. Joe Bray ended this Earthly journey at the age of 102 and made his transition back to Spirit on January 5, 2016 after a short illness and long rich life. Even though his sight & hearing declined with age, he enjoyed an active "senior" life remaining mentally alert until near the end.
Born in Kirksville, Missouri, November 3, 1913 to Willis J. Bray, Sr. & Virginia Graham Bray. He graduated from Kirksville State Teachers College, (Truman State University), before attending graduate school at the University of Missouri and Iowa State University. While teaching full time he attended Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine, (A. T. Stills University), receiving his first medical degree in June of 1941.
At the start of World War II he enlisted in the Navy as a Pharmacist Mate II, since the Navy did not recognize the Osteopathic Degree. He took a deck officer commission and served in the amphibious service in the 3 Theaters of Operation.
After WW II, Joe entered Southwestern Medical School, (the UT Southwestern) in Dallas, TX for his second medical degree, graduating in June 1950. He came to Abilene in June 1955 and completed his D.A.B.O.S (Diplomat of American Board of Orthopedic Surgery).
In Abilene, Joe was active in many civic organizations serving on many boards including the Abilene Philharmonic and Abilene Community Theater. He was also active in the Medical Societies at all levels. He enjoyed his work with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center and was a long time board member. In 2005 he was recognized by the Rehab Center for his years of service. He remained active in medicine until the age of 97 at the local Plasma Center.
Joe is survived by his daughter Betty, nephews J. Graham Bray, Jr., Layne Gulledge, Les Gulledge, Jerry Gulledge & Mike Gulledge, nieces Janie Fisher, Ginger Kosan, Deborah Seals, Lois Bell, Loralee Reed & Kimi Ann Higbee, sisters-in-law Betty Gulledge & Kimi Hadley, numerous great nieces & nephews and the many friends he considered to be family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his 3 brother, sister & wife Mildred (Millie) Gulledge Bray.
He always said that when he was done with this "mortal coil" he did not care what happened to it and according to his wishes his body will be cremated and private services held at a later date. If he touched your life in some way memorials can be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Hendrick Hospice Care or charity of your choice .
If the worth of a man's life is judged by the love, appreciation and respect he garnered walking this path, then Doc died a truly wealthy man.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene Texas.
Dr. Willis Joseph (Joe) Bray Jr., D.O., D.A.B.O.S
Father: William Willis Joseph BRAY b: 21 JUL 1884 in Madison, Missouri
Mother: Virginia Abigail GRAHAM
Obituary
Abilene, TX
Dr. Joe Bray ended this Earthly journey at the age of 102 and made his transition back to Spirit on January 5, 2016 after a short illness and long rich life. Even though his sight & hearing declined with age, he enjoyed an active "senior" life remaining mentally alert until near the end.
Born in Kirksville, Missouri, November 3, 1913 to Willis J. Bray, Sr. & Virginia Graham Bray. He graduated from Kirksville State Teachers College, (Truman State University), before attending graduate school at the University of Missouri and Iowa State University. While teaching full time he attended Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine, (A. T. Stills University), receiving his first medical degree in June of 1941.
At the start of World War II he enlisted in the Navy as a Pharmacist Mate II, since the Navy did not recognize the Osteopathic Degree. He took a deck officer commission and served in the amphibious service in the 3 Theaters of Operation.
After WW II, Joe entered Southwestern Medical School, (the UT Southwestern) in Dallas, TX for his second medical degree, graduating in June 1950. He came to Abilene in June 1955 and completed his D.A.B.O.S (Diplomat of American Board of Orthopedic Surgery).
In Abilene, Joe was active in many civic organizations serving on many boards including the Abilene Philharmonic and Abilene Community Theater. He was also active in the Medical Societies at all levels. He enjoyed his work with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center and was a long time board member. In 2005 he was recognized by the Rehab Center for his years of service. He remained active in medicine until the age of 97 at the local Plasma Center.
Joe is survived by his daughter Betty, nephews J. Graham Bray, Jr., Layne Gulledge, Les Gulledge, Jerry Gulledge & Mike Gulledge, nieces Janie Fisher, Ginger Kosan, Deborah Seals, Lois Bell, Loralee Reed & Kimi Ann Higbee, sisters-in-law Betty Gulledge & Kimi Hadley, numerous great nieces & nephews and the many friends he considered to be family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his 3 brother, sister & wife Mildred (Millie) Gulledge Bray.
He always said that when he was done with this "mortal coil" he did not care what happened to it and according to his wishes his body will be cremated and private services held at a later date. If he touched your life in some way memorials can be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Hendrick Hospice Care or charity of your choice .
If the worth of a man's life is judged by the love, appreciation and respect he garnered walking this path, then Doc died a truly wealthy man.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene Texas.
Father: William Willis Joseph BRAY b: 21 JUL 1884 in Madison, Missouri
Mother: Virginia Abigail GRAHAM
Obituary
Abilene, TX
Dr. Joe Bray ended this Earthly journey at the age of 102 and made his transition back to Spirit on January 5, 2016 after a short illness and long rich life. Even though his sight & hearing declined with age, he enjoyed an active "senior" life remaining mentally alert until near the end.
Born in Kirksville, Missouri, November 3, 1913 to Willis J. Bray, Sr. & Virginia Graham Bray. He graduated from Kirksville State Teachers College, (Truman State University), before attending graduate school at the University of Missouri and Iowa State University. While teaching full time he attended Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine, (A. T. Stills University), receiving his first medical degree in June of 1941.
At the start of World War II he enlisted in the Navy as a Pharmacist Mate II, since the Navy did not recognize the Osteopathic Degree. He took a deck officer commission and served in the amphibious service in the 3 Theaters of Operation.
After WW II, Joe entered Southwestern Medical School, (the UT Southwestern) in Dallas, TX for his second medical degree, graduating in June 1950. He came to Abilene in June 1955 and completed his D.A.B.O.S (Diplomat of American Board of Orthopedic Surgery).
In Abilene, Joe was active in many civic organizations serving on many boards including the Abilene Philharmonic and Abilene Community Theater. He was also active in the Medical Societies at all levels. He enjoyed his work with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center and was a long time board member. In 2005 he was recognized by the Rehab Center for his years of service. He remained active in medicine until the age of 97 at the local Plasma Center.
Joe is survived by his daughter Betty, nephews J. Graham Bray, Jr., Layne Gulledge, Les Gulledge, Jerry Gulledge & Mike Gulledge, nieces Janie Fisher, Ginger Kosan, Deborah Seals, Lois Bell, Loralee Reed & Kimi Ann Higbee, sisters-in-law Betty Gulledge & Kimi Hadley, numerous great nieces & nephews and the many friends he considered to be family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his 3 brother, sister & wife Mildred (Millie) Gulledge Bray.
He always said that when he was done with this "mortal coil" he did not care what happened to it and according to his wishes his body will be cremated and private services held at a later date. If he touched your life in some way memorials can be made to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Hendrick Hospice Care or charity of your choice .
If the worth of a man's life is judged by the love, appreciation and respect he garnered walking this path, then Doc died a truly wealthy man.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: Girdner Funeral Home, Abilene Texas.
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