ROCKY MOUNT - Willie Rudolph "Rudy" Gay, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Born in Nash County, NC on May 31, 1933, he was the son of the late Willie Sloan Gay and Lucy Wells Gay. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Kathleen Berry Gay; his daughter, Kathryn Sue Gay; his brother, Marvin Ray Gay; his sisters, Mary Alice Brown, Emma Lou Pippen, and Evelyn Glover; his brother-in-law, J. B. Berry; and his sisters-in-law, Thelma Alexander, Ethel Hill, and Betty Thompson.
Rudy served his country in the United States Army. He retired with 38 years of dedicated service with Carolina Telephone. A man of great faith, Rudy was a life-long member of Englewood Baptist Church. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren. Rudy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him, but his loving spirit will never be forgotten as he was everything to his family.
Rudy is survived by his sons, W.R. Gay, Jr. (Janet) of Richmond, VA and Stephen Gay (Kathleen) of Statesville; his grandchildren, Hunter Gay, Garrison Gay, Hannah Gay, and Emma Gay; his sister, Peggy Brown (Charlie) of Yorktown, VA; his brothers-in-law, Wayne Berry (Jill) of Southport and Henry Berry (Pat) of Kinston; and his numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service to celebrate Rudy's life will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
A Private Family Burial will take place at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Rudy's memory to Englewood Baptist Church, 1350 S. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Saturday 11/20, 10:00 am - 10:45 am
Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
Service
Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home
1130 N. Winstead Avenue
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Saturday 11/20, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
A Funeral Service to celebrate Rudy's life will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Cemetery
Rocky Mount Memorial Park
4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
A Private Family Burial will take place at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.