Barbourville, Ky. - Willie Bearl Graybeal , 100, of Gray, Kentucky, passed away Monday, August 3, 2026. Willie was born to the late Milton Spencer Graybeal and Erie Amazon Ball Graybeal, November 4, 1925 on Speck Ridge, near Elk Horn Kentucky.

At eighteen, Willie left home and moved to Cincinnati where he met his future wife, Ruby Parrott. While in Ohio, he enlisted in the United States Army. Willie served in WWII, and was honored with the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Service Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal.

Willie came home from war in August of 1945 and was united in marriage to Ruby Hazel Parrott on September 7, 1946. Willie worked at Tremco in Barbourville as a supervisor for many years and later retired there. Willie loved to grow a garden each year to provide food for his family and neighbors. He also loved to work with his hands, which were rarely idle. He loved building and fixing broken items – anything mechanical.  Later in life, he enjoyed cooking and doing genealogy with his daughter, Brenda.

Willie and Ruby were faithful members and charter members of the First Church of God, Park Place, in London. Willie was a cherished member of his church community, assuming roles as song-leader, care-taker, and board member. If a need arose, Willie was always willing to step-up and volunteer to be of service to the Lord, and to his church family.

Willie was described by his granddaughter, Jamie, as being the greatest man she ever knew. Willie wasn't just a grandfather -  he was more like a father to his grandchildren. Alongside his wife Ruby, he spent his entire life making sure his children and grandchildren felt loved, safe and cared for. Willie was a hard worker with strong religious beliefs. He taught his family by example ,what unconditional love was. The family will miss him tremendously.

In addition to his parents, Milton Spencer Graybeal and Erie Amazon Ball Graybeal, Willie was preceded in death by his loving wife of 75 years, Ruby Hazel Parrott Graybeal; his son: Daniel Graybeal; his great-great grandson Archer Reese; his brothers: Millard Junior Graybeal, Jack Graybeal, Larry Graybeal, Roger Graybeal, Milton Graybeal; and his sisters: Christine Sprouse, Helen Thomas, Aileen Huff.

Left behind to mourn his passing, are his daughter Brenda Graybeal Huff; two sisters: Shirley Sturtivan and Sue Bright, his grandchildren: Stacee Kirk, Roberta Kirk Aviles, Devon Graybeal, Jamie Wilder, Danielle Mackenzie, and Vanessa Mullins; his nineteen great grandchildren: and four great-great grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, also survive Willie and will miss him dearly. In addition to his family he also leaves behind his loving dog, Lady, whom he rescued from a local shelter.

The Graybeal Family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home Monday, August 10, 2026, from 12:00 PM until the funeral hour of 2:00 PM. Reverend Steven Baker will officiate. Interment will follow funeral service in the Mills~Parrott Cemetery, at Bailey Switch, Knox County, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are as follows, Chris Graybeal, Aiden McAdams, Josh Hurst, Michael Hembree, Christopher Evans, Xander Thomas.

The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home, Mrs. Lorena Blankenship, Mr. Reid Brewer, Mr. Robin Reese, Mrs. Brenda Johnson, Ms. Quinlyn Chrisco, Mr. Steven Walker, and Mr. Darren West express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Willie Bearl Graybeal .

Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of servicing all arrangements for Willie Bearl Graybeal .