Deacon William James Gay

GAY, Deacon William James - Age 79, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Briarwood Manor. Family hour 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2016 at New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1035 E. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Patrick W. Sanders, Sr. officiating. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 a.m. Friday. Deacon Gay will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thursday. Deacon William James Gay was born March 12, 1937 in Flint, Michigan, the son of Mr. & Mrs. William and Nannie Gay. He was the youngest of three children. Deacon Gay attended Flint Community School System. After graduation he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served 2 years and was Honorably Discharged. When Deacon Gay returned to Flint he gained employment with Buick City for 17 1/2 years and transferring to Chevrolet Truck & Bus, both divisions of General Motors. He dedicated 37 years of service before retiring. Deacon Gay was a member of New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop Otis A. Floyd and Pastor Patrick W. Sanders, Sr. He was appointed a Deacon by Bishop Floyd, faithfully serving not only the Deacon Board, but the Jail Ministry and the King’s Men's Choir. When the weather was bad Deacon Gay would listen to the sermons on the radio. Deacon Gay enjoyed working around the house, spending hours outside in his shed and taking care of the yard. When he wasn't outside he was watching Sanford and Son, mysteries, spirituals and his game shows. Deacon Gay loved Steve Harvey. Deacon William James Gay leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife, Jeanne of Mt. Morris, MI; daughter, Kim of Middleton, OH; 2 sons, Kelly of Mt. Morris, MI and William James II (Amanda) Gay of Flint; grandchildren, JaMiya, Kiesha, Kelly II, Jalon, Rene, Tia, Jared, McKenzie and Tavaris; 6 great-grandchildren; special cousins, Dr. Linda Itson, Cloteal Coney, the Moore, Coney, Williams and Jones families; sisters-in-law, Ernestine Moore of Flint, Darlene Jennings of Middletown, Oh and Cheryl Campbell of Las Vegas, NV; brothers-in-law, Toby Bryant and Fred Jennings; a host of other relatives and friends including god-daughter, D’Wanda Hawkins; and spiritual children, Min. Anna Johnson, Rev. Craig Johnson, Eld. Alvin Gayden, Lady Di, Diane Johnson, Jeannie, Jackie and Thelma Arjetta. Deacon Gay was preceded in death by his parents, William and Nannie Gay; sister, Ludelia “Lue” Early; and brother, Sylvester Moore

Deacon William James Gay

March 12, 1937 - April 9, 2016