On September 26, 2023, Billy Ray Graybeal, formerly of Havre de Grace, passed away at his home in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, surrounded by family members at his side. He is survived by his daughters: Kathy Graybeal, Mary Anne Gruzs (Jason), Kelley Bursk (Kevin), and Georgia Hudson, (Howdy), Step-son Pete Shafer (Lisa), Sisters Debbie Dougherty (Keith), MaryLou Robbins (Dennis), Brother James "Butch" Reginaldi, his Granddaughters Bridget Lowy (Jason), Olivia Hudson, Lauren Shafer and Savannah Shafer, Grandsons, Gray "Bubba" Bursk, Miles Hudson, Reid Shafer, and Spencer Shafer, Great-Grandchildren, Kyle Lowy and Gavin Lowy, and his Nephew that he loved like a Son, Donnie Graybeal (Jen). Billy Ray was predeceased by his Mother, Kathryn Pearl Reginaldi and Step-father, Fredrick Reginaldi, a Brother, Donald E. Graybeal, a Sister, Shirley Lambert and his Wife, Beverly Buck Graybeal.
Billy Ray was born in Quarryville, PA, and grew up in Havre de Grace. He excelled in the high school football and baseball programs at Havre de Grace High School from which he graduated in 1956. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served honorably for four years, played baseball, boxed, and taught the Midshipmen Marksmanship. He was always proud of being a Marine and always said, "Once a Marine Always a Marine '' and "Semper Fi". Upon his return from military service, he was hired at the local C&P Telephone Company where he retired as "Supervisor of Construction". After retiring from C&P he bought property in Ocean City, MD and moved there where he worked and played golf at Eagles Landing Golf Course. He later sold the property and moved to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina where he became close friends with the management and members of Snee Farm Country Club, played golf and worked for 16 years. He loved sports, especially the Gamecocks football and baseball, college football, and the Orioles and Braves. Billy Ray "never met a stranger." His "core values" as a marine and person were honor, courage, and commitment that he lived by every day. Throughout his life, Billy Ray served as an inspiration, mentor, and role-model to others. He was devoted, adored and loved his children, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Arrangements include viewing services on Thursday, October 19th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 S. Washington St., in Havre de Grace. The funeral service will be held October 20th at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 101 South Union Ave., in Havre de Grace, followed by a gravesite service at Harford Memorial Gardens (Aberdeen). Pallbearers will be Donnie Graybeal, Kevin Bursk, Howdy Hudson, Jason Gruzs, Jason Lowy, Miles Hudson, and Gray "Bubba" Bursk, and Honorary Pallbearers will be Robbie Angelucci, Rob Purcell, Jim Pierce, Dave Walker, Don Colburn, and Joe Garczynski. A celebration of his life will follow the burial. The reception site will be announced at the Church Service. A celebration of Billy Ray's life will be held in Mt. Pleasant at Snee Farm Country Club, TBA. Services will be Live-streamed via Facebook @Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., or on Mr. Graybeal's Obituary Page: Click Photo's/ Videos, click view Webcast. The link will appear about 10 minutes prior to the service. The family requests In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his name to Soldier's Angels, (soldersangels.org), 2895 NE Loop 410, Ste. 107, San Antonio, TX 78218, or Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.
