After the deaths of his parents in 1909, he and his brother Jack were adopted by their Uncle Will Avera and Aunt Mae (a sister of their mother). Their brother, William Nathaniel Avera was raised by their Aunt Lessie, another of their mother's sisters.
Both Uncle Will and Aunt Mae were very enthusiastic about school and encouraged both boys to attend school and obtain college degrees. Wray was a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, class of 1920, and a career Army officer specializing in field artillery. Instead of the usual course of study at West Point, his Class undertook a year-round course of study because the Country needed officers for the Great War in Europe and graduated in 3 years. In World War II, Wray served in the 10th Mountain Division during its march up Italy. After retirement, he had several secondary careers including ownership of a soft drink bottling plant and real estate agent / developer. His wife, Garland, who is buried next to him was the great love of his life.
His half-brother Drayton Avera was 19 years older than he.
His full brothers were:
Draytons' half-brothers:
William Nathaniel Avera (1897-1949).
John Byron Avera (1902-1978).
Both Uncle Will and Aunt Mae were very enthusiastic about school and encouraged both boys to attend school and obtain college degrees. Wray was a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, class of 1920, and a career Army officer specializing in field artillery. Instead of the usual course of study at West Point, his Class undertook a year-round course of study because the Country needed officers for the Great War in Europe and graduated in 3 years. In World War II, Wray served in the 10th Mountain Division during its march up Italy. After retirement, he had several secondary careers including ownership of a soft drink bottling plant and real estate agent / developer. His wife, Garland, who is buried next to him was the great love of his life.
His half-brother Drayton Avera was 19 years older than he.
His full brothers were:
Draytons' half-brothers:
William Nathaniel Avera (1897-1949).
John Byron Avera (1902-1978).
After the deaths of his parents in 1909, he and his brother Jack were adopted by their Uncle Will Avera and Aunt Mae (a sister of their mother). Their brother, William Nathaniel Avera was raised by their Aunt Lessie, another of their mother's sisters.
Both Uncle Will and Aunt Mae were very enthusiastic about school and encouraged both boys to attend school and obtain college degrees. Wray was a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, class of 1920, and a career Army officer specializing in field artillery. Instead of the usual course of study at West Point, his Class undertook a year-round course of study because the Country needed officers for the Great War in Europe and graduated in 3 years. In World War II, Wray served in the 10th Mountain Division during its march up Italy. After retirement, he had several secondary careers including ownership of a soft drink bottling plant and real estate agent / developer. His wife, Garland, who is buried next to him was the great love of his life.
His half-brother Drayton Avera was 19 years older than he.
His full brothers were:
Draytons' half-brothers:
William Nathaniel Avera (1897-1949).
John Byron Avera (1902-1978).
Both Uncle Will and Aunt Mae were very enthusiastic about school and encouraged both boys to attend school and obtain college degrees. Wray was a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, class of 1920, and a career Army officer specializing in field artillery. Instead of the usual course of study at West Point, his Class undertook a year-round course of study because the Country needed officers for the Great War in Europe and graduated in 3 years. In World War II, Wray served in the 10th Mountain Division during its march up Italy. After retirement, he had several secondary careers including ownership of a soft drink bottling plant and real estate agent / developer. His wife, Garland, who is buried next to him was the great love of his life.
His half-brother Drayton Avera was 19 years older than he.
His full brothers were:
Draytons' half-brothers:
William Nathaniel Avera (1897-1949).
John Byron Avera (1902-1978).
Inscription
Wray B. Avera
Colonel U.S. Army
November 10, 1899
November 20, 1979
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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