Cover photo for Wray Warren Anderson's Obituary
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Wray Warren Anderson

d. August 26, 2014

Wray Warren Anderson

Wray Warren Anderson, 92, died Tuesday, August 26, 2014 in Gulfport. A lifelong resident of Gulfport, he was born in 1922. He graduated from Gulfport High School and attended Bowling Green Business University, Bowling Green, KY. At the beginning of WWII, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve, serving in the South Pacific Theater at Guadalcanal and in Northern California. He married his high school sweetheart, Lillian Wright, in 1944; and upon his discharge he returned to Gulfport and entered the family hardware business, retiring in 1986. Active in community affairs, Mr. Anderson was appointed the first examining officer for the Fire and Police Departments by the Civil Service Commission; served on the Board of Directors and was vice president of the Chamber of Commerce; was a member of the Harrison County Planning Commission; served twenty-five years on the Board of Trustees of Memorial Hospital, nine years as Chairman of the Board. He was a seventy-five year member of the Gulfport Noon Lion’s Club and the last surviving member. He held many offices, including the presidency several times. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason. A lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, Gulfport, he taught the Ninth Grade Boys’ Sunday School Class for many years. He later became a member of the Scrap-Iron Sunday School Class. An avid tennis enthusiast, Mr. Anderson has been active in Coast circles since high school. Failing eyesight eventually made him retire from the game. He held memberships in Plantation Pines Tennis Club, Gulfport Racquet Club, and Bayou Bluff Tennis Club where he was a charter member and served on the board for several years. As a young man, he had the honor of playing with the Vice President of the United States, Henry Wallace, on the courts of the Edgewater Gulf Hotel. Other hobbies included traveling, with over thirty cruises to his credit. He and his wife visited Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Turkey, Alaska, and many islands in the Caribbean. One of his most interesting trips was to London where he attended Wimbledon and watched some of his favorite tennis players in action. Mr. Anderson enjoyed gardening, fishing in the bayous, and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Anderson was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Lillian Wright Anderson; his son Robert (Bobby); his brothers Oliver, Charles, and Edwin; his sister Louise; and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. K. Anderson. He leaves his daughters, Mrs. Barbara Cox (Arnold) of Arlington, TX and Mrs. Peggie Campbell (Dana) of Gulfport; grandchildren Allison Wray Lenz (Alan) of San Antonio, TX; Allan Anderson Cox (Angela) of McKinney, TX; Emily Dana Mays (Skyler), Megan Wray Campbell, Kevin Thomas Campbell, and Jay Warren Anderson (Stacy) of Gulfport; Betsy Delisle and Sara Anderson, Aptos, CA; great grandchildren Wray Alan and Robert Michael Lenz, Adrienne Virginia Cox, Morgan Marie Anderson, Dorothy Ann Delisle, and Layla Hill. He leaves behind a family who will miss his great sense of humor, his generosity, and his caring personality. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of the First Baptist Church, 12190 Hwy 605, Gulfport, MS 39503. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 28, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home on 15th Street, Gulfport. Memorial services will be held at the Biloxi National Cemetery at a later date. The family wishes to thank the staffs at Methodist Senior Services Seashore Highlands, Gentiva Hospice, and Memorial Hospital. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com
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Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, August 28, 2014

4:00 - 6:00 pm

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home - 15th Street

1726 15th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501

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Cemetery

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home - Gulfport

59 Wayside Rd, Stuart, VA 24171

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