Gay W. Gregg

Gay Wilson Gregg, 87, passed away peacefully in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

He was born in Hackleburg, Alabama on June 19, 1937 to the late George Gay and Orell (nee Cromer) Gregg. Gay grew up in Hamilton, Alabama where he met his wife Cherry Nell Ray, and they were married in Itawamba County, Mississippi on August 20, 1955. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Zion, Illinois where they raised two children and Gay began his lifelong career with Commonwealth Edison, retiring at the early age of 57.

Gay loved his family dearly and demonstrated that love through hard work. He was the most humble, honorable, and honest man who led by example, and he was always quick-witted with his one-liners. Gay enjoyed golfing and riding his Harley Davidson, but anyone who knew him knew that his real passion was bowling. During his life, Gay owned and operated Ehler’s Lanes in Zion, owned Gregg’s Pro shop where he was a master at drilling bowling balls, and served as an Official for the Lake County Bowling Association. In his earlier years, Gay enjoyed coordinating trips for local bowlers to compete in the Hoinke Classic tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio and also organized countless local bowling leagues and sponsored numerous bowling teams.

Gay is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Cherry; his children Michael (Sherri) Gregg of Winthrop Harbor, IL; Kimberly (David Jr.) Fulton of Wadsworth, IL; his grandchildren Tara (Andrew) Young, Garrett (Christine) Gregg, David III (Sabrina) Fulton, Spencer Fulton, Lucas (McKenna) Fulton, great- grandchildren Vivian, Adeline, Eliza, Carter, Camille, Gwendolyn, Ford, Taytum, and Kacey, and sister Wanda (nee Gregg) Adams. 

Gay was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Gay will be held at Congdon Funeral Home located at 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL from 11 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. A short service will follow at noon and interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers. donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in memory of Gay is suggested. 

The Gregg family extends their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff at Primrose Retirement Community in Pleasant Prairie and to St. Croix Hospice for their extraordinary kindness, compassion, and dedicated care provided to Gay and his family.