William Leo Gravely

Mr. William Leo Gravely, 75, passed away, Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Dunmore Plantation in Dobson, NC. Mr. Gravely was born in Surry County on December 6, 1944 to Clinton and Thelma Hudson Gravely. Mr. Gravely was known for keeping busy with house projects and hobbies. He enjoyed gardening, making instruments, oil painting, and even building cars. In his free time, Mr. Gravely worked on building a 1929 Model A from parts. However, he was best known for his musical talent in singing, writing songs, and playing the guitar, but his family and friends say he could play any instrument you put in his hand. Mr. Gravely grew up in the Mount Airy area and was involved in the musical history of the area, performing with bands, individuals, and on the local radio station. Mr. Gravely and his late wife, Fronia, traveled and sang in different churches, several times with their whole family. Mr. and Mrs. Gravely created a cassette and CD together, he created two with his original songs, and they accompanied other Gospel music artists on their compilations. Mr. Gravely’s original song has been produced and recorded locally, as part of the Southern Gospel Radio Charts, and in Nashville, especially his original songs, “Salvation Looks Good on You,” “Calvary on My Knees,” “Another Child of God has Made it Home,” and “I’d Like to Go to Church with Mom and Dad Again.” Mr. Gravely’s family will always remember singing and playing Southern Gospel music at family dinners and holiday get-togethers. They also remember their dad and grandpa for his funny voices, stories about growing up traveling and finding odd jobs, and giving the grandchildren nicknames. Mr. Gravely was a molder and grinder by trade and worked in at Hamlin Casting in Pilot Mountain.

Mr. Gravely leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Tonia (Troy) Wilson; a son, James Terry (Teresa) Adams; two brothers, Jimmy Gravely and Sam (Myrtle) Gravely; a sister Glenda (Roger) Norman; six grandchildren, Amanda (Scott) Gordon, Melissa (Stacey) Culler, Terry (Hannah) Adams Jr, Wayne Newman, Robbie Newman, Tiffany (Evan) Coe; nine great-grandchildren, Eli Culler, Kattie Culler, Eddie Newman, Bentley Newman, Lucy Newman, Briella Newman, Bailee Newman, River Adams, and Hunter Adams.He was preceded in death by his wife, Fronia Gravely, parents, Clinton and Thelma Gravely, and two great grandchildren. The body will lie in state at Cox and Needham Funeral Home on Sunday, November 8, 2020 from 2:00pm-4:00pm. A private memorial service will be held at a later date at Albion Baptist Church with Rev. Ricky Easter officiating.

Memorials may be made to Dunmore Plantation at 515 W. Kapp St. Dobson, NC 27017 or to Mountain Valley Hospice at 401 Technology Lane Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030

Cox-Needham Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Gravely family.

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