William Ray Griffin

GARNER - William (Billy) Ray Griffin, Jr. went to his eternal home on December 17, 2024. He passed away peacefully and painlessly in the arms of his loving wife of 70 years, Peggy, and surrounded by immediate family members. Billy was born in Durham, North Carolina on August 4, 1934, to the late William Ray Griffin and Sybil Barnes Griffin.

At the age of eleven, Billy went to live at the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh, North Carolina after the death of his father who had been raised as a student in the same orphanage. He spent six years at the Orphanage and graduated from high school in 1952. While living at the orphanage he met the love of his life, Peggy. He loved his orphanage home and spent most of his adult life supporting the alumni and sharing the positive impact the Methodist Orphanage had on his life and the lives of others who grew up there. He served as the President of the Alumni Association for eighteen years, leading the planning for their Annual Reunion and other local gatherings. He loved reuniting with his orphanage brothers and sisters to share stories, reflections, laughter, and lots of hugs. He always said that he was part of the largest family of brothers and sisters that he knew.

His first full-time job was with Nash-Steele-Warren Distributing Company (later Warren Distributing Company) where he served for over 30 years in multiple roles eventually serving in wholesale appliance sales. He later worked with Central Supply Company, another wholesale appliance dealer in Raleigh where he served as the Sales Manager. His last position was as a Regional Sales Executive for Dacor Appliances. Upon retirement, he focused his attention on attending local sporting events in support of three of his grandchildren, Justin, Daniel, and Stacey.

Billy had been a member of several Methodist churches in the area beginning with Edenton Street United Methodist Church, which he attended as a child while living in the orphanage. He and Peggy were married in the church chapel in 1954. They later attended other churches including Highland United Methodist, Apex United Methodist, Fuquay United Methodist, and Genesis United Methodist. They have recently enjoyed fellowship with friends at Risen Chapel in Cary.

Billy was a lifelong North Carolina State University fan and was a ticket taker for many years at Reynolds Coliseum and Carter-Finley Stadium. Among his life highlights were season tickets with his wife and son to home basketball games during the 1973-1974 National Championship Basketball season. He also enjoyed playing golf at Raleigh County Club where he was a member for many years. In 2010, Billy was awarded the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department Fred Fletcher Outstanding Volunteer award for his efforts to help restore the former orphanage property as part of Fred Fletcher Park in Raleigh

He and Peggy were blessed to spend some of their time with their immediate family at vacation homes in Zionville, North Carolina, as well as Kure Beach, North Carolina. He and Peggy have been residents at the Templeton of Cary, a senior living facility, for the last four years. They have loved their time there and have made many wonderful friends.

He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Peggy Patton Griffin, daughter Brenda Griffin Holladay (John) of Raleigh and a son William Bruce Griffin (Meredith) of Knightdale, North Carolina as well as a brother, John Phillip Griffin of Virginia and five grandchildren, Justin Holladay (Crystal), Daniel Holladay (Amanda) and Stacey Lee (Jonathan), Connor Griffin and Bryce Griffin. They have ten amazing great-grandchildren as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended families that also include their orphanage brothers and sisters throughout North Carolina.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road in Garner, on Saturday, January 18th at 10:00 a.m. An informal reception with family and friends will be held immediately after the service in an adjoining reception area.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Methodist Home for Children, 1040 Washington Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27605-1259.