Obituary of William "Bill" Randall Gray

William “Bill”  Randall Gray, 82, passed away on January 14, 2024 at his home in Saint Paul, MN.

Son of Mary (Dunlap) Gray and Earl Boone Gray, he was born on January 17, 1941 in Springfield, MA.  Bill’s family was of utmost importance to him. He married the love of his life Katy (Dawkins) Gray in 1978, and they went on to raise a blended family of 7 children and 14 grandchildren: Peggy (Harrison, children Ellie, Parker, Jo), Melissa (Bill), Andrew (Christy, children Sam, Maddie, Kyle, Ethan), Charity (Andre), Heidi (children Bea, Gus, Franny), Bridget (Jason, children Kate, Duncan) and Eli (Brenna, children Livi, Liam).  

Bill’s career was diverse and entrepreneurial. After graduating from Harrod High School, Ohio in 1959, he served in the Army from September of 1960 to June 1963, including 20 months of service in Okinawa, Japan. He went on to receive degrees in business (University of Cincinnati, 1966) and Mechanical Engineering (University of Minnesota, 1974), then spent the first part of his civilian career as an airflow engineer. In 1982 Bill and Katy courageously started BECHAMP Software, a family computer consulting business, which they ran until they “retired” in 2000. Retirement for Bill and Katy meant they opened Cathedral Hill Bed & Breakfast (2003-2017), because what else do you do with a 10 bedroom Victorian home after all seven kids have moved out? Bill also owned and maintained rental properties and took pride in offering his tenants shelter and understanding.

Bill was known for his sweet smile and quiet disposition. He had a heart of gold and was generous with his time and love. He loved “systems” and took enormous pride in rehabbing his 1896 Victorian home, where he and Katy raised their family and ran their businesses, into its original spectacular glory but with all the modern conveniences. Bill and Katy held countless parties and hosted many people generously and lovingly at 488 Holly. This home that he rehabilitated and cared for with pride and joy was “grand central station” for his big, loud, beautiful family (including weekly Monday Night Dinners for decades), and all of their friends, whom he loved so much.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Katy, and survived by his sister Betsy (Tom) Dodder and brother Carl (Janet) Gray and his dear companion, Charity Smith. 

A celebration of life will be held in Bill’s memory on May 18, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Cherokee Park in St. Paul.