William (Billy) Wayne Grayson, 50

William (Billy) Wayne Grayson, 50, of Raleigh, NC, passed away Friday, August 18, 2023.

He is preceded in death by his husband, Jack Edward Finley, brother Lee Robert Grayson, paternal grandfather William Toy Grayson, maternal grandparents Annie Ruth Taylor & Doyt Lee Robert Taylor, and Uncle James Larry Taylor.

He left behind his parents, Dennis Wayne Grayson and Catherine Taylor Grayson of Oak Island and Shelby, his sister Hope Grayson Ryan of Marion, SC, his nephew Jon Casey Ryan of Columbia, SC, and his companion Zoey. He is also survived by his paternal grandmother Earleen Bingham Grayson of Shelby, his aunts Jane Grayson of Charlotte, Cynthia Grayson of Shelby, and Uncle Gene Grayson of Shelby and their children.

He graduated from the North Carolina State University and retired from Workplace Options in Raleigh. Billy was an avid supporter of the local theatre and Fine Arts, and a generous contributor to multiple charities and causes. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. His kindness, generosity, and humor stand out as the key attributes for which he will always be remembered. Billy loved to travel, go on cruises, spend time at the beach with his parents, and all forms of the arts and theatre. Most of all, he loved his late husband Jack, his faithful dog Zoey, and his nephew, Casey, who was the apple of his eye.

A memorial service was held at Renaissance Funeral Home. He will be interred to his eternal resting place in Cleveland County at a later date. Please contact the family directly for further details.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The North Carolina Theatre (Raleigh) or The Southern Siberian Rescue (Raleigh).