William Gray Goewey

After a brief illness, William Gray Goewey died peacefully in Littleton, Colorado on December 18, 2019 at the age of 94. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Goewey; his brother Richard Goewey; and his sister Jane Greenwood. Gray is lovingly remembered by his children Ellen Orrill, David Goewey, Stephen Goewey, Barbara McGuire, and their partners; his many wonderful grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and his close friends Monica and Dave McKenna.

Gray was born in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1925. When he came of age, he joined the navy and served on the Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier near the end of WWII. During that time, one of his navy buddies showed him a picture of his sister, Betty. Gray was immediately smitten and began exchanging letters with her, and after his navy stint ended he married his favorite pen pal. The new couple settled in Des Moines, Iowa, where Gray went to Drake University on the GI Bill and completed his degree. He then embarked on a long career with the Sinclair Oil company, which took him to Minneapolis, Kansas City, and finally to Littleton, Colorado. Along the way, he and Betty started a family and raised four children.

An avid golfer, Gray played the links into his eighties. He also was an adept poker player who could win all of your money almost before you noticed. He was a big fan of all the Denver professional sports teams and loved to hunker down into his favorite armchair to watch them play.

Gray was a quiet man, the opposite of chatty. But he was quick with a well-timed, dry-witted joke when you least expected it. The problem was that he rarely could get to the punch line without laughing.

In keeping with Gray’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. The family will hold a private memorial service next year.