William was youngest of the five children of Joseph Gray (b: ~ 1774) and Matilda Scrieggs (b: ~ 1777).

m1: Mary Helen Loftus / Lofftus Nov 18 1838
Thirteen children (11 sons, 2 daus); one child died before 1860.
ch inc:
-Joseph Wellington abt 1839
-William H. abt 1841
-Mary M. abt 1843
-James Wallace abt 1845
-Edward S. abt 1847
-Alonzo P abt 1848-
-Alfred Judson abt 1851
-Ann E. abt 1854
-Claudius E, abt 1859

m2: Mary A. Bibb Nov 19 1860
Five children, infant and four sons
-infant
-W.A. (William Alexander) abt 1864-
-W.T. abt 1866-
-J.B. abt 1871-
-L.B. abt 1874-

m3: Martha Melinda Fewel Nov 20 1877

GRAY, William A. Rev.
Springfield Township
1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co pg 813
Rev. William A. Gray was born October 16, 1815, in Christian County, Kentucky. His father, Joseph Gray, was born in 1777 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and was a farmer by occupation. He emigrated near the year 1800 to Kentucky and settled in Christian County, where he remained until 1839. William's mother, formerly Matilda Scrieggs, was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, about 1782. They were married in 1800 in Christian County, Kentucky, and had five children. William A. Gray was the youngest of this family. he spent his early life in his native state, receiving a limited education, and in the fall of 1836 left home and went on a prospecting tour to the present Henry County, where he remained nearly two years. Returning to his native state, he passed one year there, making the final preparations for a future and permanent home in Missouri. He was married November 18, 1838, to Miss Mary Lofftus, of Christian County, Kentucky. By this union there were thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters. In the year of 1839 he entered a tract of 160 acres of land, his parents also becoming residents of the county about the same time. Mr. Gray commenced school teaching in 1836, previous to his coming here, and followed the calling for about fifteen years. His first school in Missouri was taught in Tebo Township. In June of 1843 he became identified with the Baptist Church of Clear Creek, Benton County, and from a sense of duty soon turned his attention to the ministry, and, being encouraged by the church, proceeded to the work of preparation and began the study of theology, though under the most adverse circumstances, as he was compelled to go through the process of self-education in the then new country of his adoption. He was licensed in November, 1843, and was ordained in January, 1844, by Revs. J. T. Ricketts and W. P. Caldwell, and he commenced his life work immediately. His first text was: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." The citizens of Henry, Benton, Pettis, Johnson, St. Clair, Bates and Vernon Counties have long known Pastor Gray, many of whom have sat under and listened with pleasure and satisfaction to his preaching. Mrs. Gray died August 1, 1860, leaving twelve children. Mr. Gray was married again November 19, 1860, to Mary A. Bibb, of Benton County. There were five children born to them. Though having devoted much of his time to the ministry, with but little pecuniary compensation, he has been greatly prosperous. His house was demolished April 7, 1842, by a cyclone, leaving no article of furniture nor vestige of household goods. A little child was snatched from its cradle only in time to save it from certain death, as the cradle was instantly filled with the debris of the falling house. Mr. Gray, in his attempt to reach the residence, was struck with a piece of flying timber, and fell crushed and bleeding, and his narrow escape is shown by the scar upon his head to this day. The neighbors restored his house, and he looks back with grateful remembrance to the kindness shown him and his family. He preached unmolested during the period of the war, and though men sought to intimidate, he fearlessly proclaimed the gospel to those who chose to listen. He has perhaps preached over 5,000 sermons, besides performing extra duties in the community, which have been frequent. His second wife died June 10, 1875. On November 20, 1877, he married Martha M. Fewell, of Benton County, but originally from North Carolina. He has, without doubt, baptized more than a thousand candidates, and could give us no idea of the number of marriage rites performed during his long ministry. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Dr. J. W. Gray, son of Rev. Wm. A. Gray, was born February 20, 1840, in Springfield Township, Henry County, Missouri. During the years of 1856, '57 and '58, he attended the college at Calhoun, Henry County, conducted by the Tebo Baptist Association. On leaving the school, he commenced the study of medicine at Calhoun, Dr. Robert Hogan of that place being his preceptor. He continued his studies during the years of 1859 and '60, and was interrupted in 1861 by the opening of the war. He suspended study for several months, giving his attention to the management of the farm at home. In November, 1861, he resumed his studies with Dr. Alfred Head, of Benton County, and passed nearly two years under that preceptor. He attended medical lectures at St. Louis, Missouri. In the spring of 1864, he commenced the practice of his profession at Windsor, in Henry County. He was married in September, 1864, to Miss Clara Elizabeth Head, of Millersburg, Callaway County, and a daughter of Dr. Alfred Head. They have six children. Dr. Gray continued his practice at Windsor for twelve years, when he removed to Springfield Township, this county, buying 235 acres of the old homestead, located on section 15. Besides attending to a large practice, he has charge of his farm, and is also engaged in general stock raising. He is a member of the Masonic order, and politically he is a Democrat.

Obit:
GRAY, William A., Rev.
b: Oct 16 1816, Hopkinsville, Christian Co, KY
d: Sep 29 1895, Springfield Twp, Henry Co, MO
bur: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Springfield Twp, Henry Co, MO
Clinton, MO, Oct 5 1895 - Rev. William A. Gray is dead. A great soldier has fallen, not a soldier of physical warfare, but a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb. He quietly breathed his last early Sunday morning, the 29th day of Sept., at his old home in Springfield township, five miles southeast of Calhoun. His death caused the community sensations of treat sorrow, for he had lived among us for so many years and, by his noble and righteous life, had won the respect of all. To those who knew him, his beautiful disposition and loving nature bound them to him with ties stronger than death can sever. He was very social and had great sympathies. He was a great friend to downtrodden humanity. He had suffered much in the last seven or eight years but bore it all with the greatest Christian fortitude. Wm. Gray was born on the 16th day of October, 1815, in Hopkinsville, Christian County, Ky., where he grew to manhood. He came to Henry County in the early part of 1836 and entered the tract of land upon which he died. He returned to his former home and married Miss Mary H. Loftus and brought her to Henry county in the fall, built them a cabin on the broad prairies of what was then Rives county, where he took his young wife and set up for housekeeping and improving the large farm. They fought life's battle together in congenial happiness and as the years rolled by, 10 children were given to make merry in their home, with five sons and one daughter still living. Three of the sons are doctors and the other two are prosperous farmers. On the 1st day of August, 1861, the dark-winged angel that entered the happy home claimed for his victim the loving wife and mother. It was a great bereavement but they did not weep for her as tho they had no hope, for all knew from her devoted Christian life that she had entered the haven of rest. In 1862, William A. Gray and Miss Mary Bibb were married. Four sons came to bless that union, one being a doctor and the other two well-to-do farmers. In 1867, death entered again the happy home and took the dear wife and mother to her long home above. In 1878, he was married to Miss Martha Fewell, who preceded him to that better land some nine years ago. Wm. A. Gray accepted Christ as his Savior and united with the Clear Creek Baptist Church in 1840. He was ordained by Elders Caldwell and Rickets in 1856 and entered immediately upon his ministerial work. "Fear not, little flock" was the text of the first sermon he ever preached.; In 1848, Wm. A. Gray and wife, his father and mother, Washington Young and wife, and two others went into the organization of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Washington Young, who totters upon the verge of the grave, stands as a living monument of that little band. That little church chose Elder Gray as their pastor and he held the position for 40 years, with honor to himself and great blessings to the church. About 1888, his health failed and he requested the church to release him from the pastoral care. They did not grant his request but they called assistant pastors. He was never released until death released him. From that little band of eight persons, Mt. Olivet has grown to be a great light. It is as a city set on a hill, that cannot be hid. Hundreds have enlisted under her banner, many of whom have crossed the dark river and are standing on the sunny bank of sweet deliverance, beckoning to others to come. Wm. Gray had charge of more than a score of churches in Henry, Benton, Pettis and Johnson counties. He baptized more people, preached more sermons and officiated at more marriages than any other minister who ever lived in Henry County. He was a great preacher because he preached Christ and him crucified and nothing else. He carried smiles and sunshine with him wherever he went and we shall never hear his voice on earth anymore.
(Bio and obit from Henry Co. website, used with permission)

*note: Obit indicates William had 10 children; however son Dr. James Wallace 1883 history stated he was the 4th of 12 children. A thirteenth child died as infant.

1850 Tebo, Henry Co MO: GRAY William A/34, Mary/28, Wellington/11, William/9, Mary M/7, James W/5, Edward/3, Alonzo P/2, GRAY Joseph/76 (father), Marilda/73 (mother) and TRAVERS James R/17 (relationship unknown).

1860 Tebo (Calhoun) Henry Co MO: GRAY William L*/43, Mary/40, Joseph W/20, William H/17, Mary/16, James W/14, Edward S/13, Alonzo P/12, Alfred J/9, Ann E/7, Claudius E/1

1880 Springfield, Henry Co: GRAY W.A./64/KY/VA/VA, M.M./54/NC W.A./16, W.T./14, J.B./9, L/B./6, A.P./31, A.E./26 (note - all but A.E. are sons, she is dau).