Willys Overland Master Mechanic Passes.

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   My uncle Clarence recently died at his home and I'll try to share the obit and a couple of pics from the paper as a part of Jeep history for those who might be interested.

Clarence Gray
1920-2014

On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, longtime resident of Waterville, Ohio, Clarence Eugene Gray, age 94, was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior. Clarence was born on April 14, 1920, in Toledo, Ohio to Hazel Marie and William Quincy Gray. He grew up at Reynolds Corners And attended Glann Elementary School. He was a longtime member of Dorr Street Church of God, then located at the corner of Dorr
Street and Reynolds Road. In later years he attended Heritage Church of God.

During his high school years, he developed a strong work ethic and
worked many hours at the grocery store located behind his home. After
graduation in 1939 from Macomber Vocational High School, he continued working
for the Kroger grocery chain. Clarence began his career at Willys Overland shortly before being drafted into the Army in 1942. During World War II, he proudly served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as an X-ray technician at Wakeman General Hospital located at Camp Atterbury near Columbus, Indiana. Also working on base was his future bride, Mary Ann Bensheimer. They married on April 22, 1945, and were blessed with 69 years together. After discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant (T4), he returned to Toledo and his job at Willys Overland
retiring from Chrysler Jeep with 43 years of service as a master mechanic in 1985.

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BENSH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 27 May 2013 Location: Central IN. Status: Offline Points: 1074	Post Options Post Reply Quote BENSH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Willys Overland Master Mechanic Passes. Posted: 14 Aug. 2014 at 5:26am
	My uncle Clarence recently died at his home and I'll try to share the obit and a couple of pics from the paper as a part of Jeep history for those who might be interested. Clarence Gray 1920-2014 On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, longtime resident of Waterville, Ohio, Clarence Eugene Gray, age 94, was welcomed home by his Lord and Savior. Clarence was born on April 14, 1920, in Toledo, Ohio to Hazel Marie and William Quincy Gray. He grew up at Reynolds Corners And attended Glann Elementary School. He was a longtime member of Dorr Street Church of God, then located at the corner of Dorr Street and Reynolds Road. In later years he attended Heritage Church of God. During his high school years, he developed a strong work ethic and worked many hours at the grocery store located behind his home. After graduation in 1939 from Macomber Vocational High School, he continued working for the Kroger grocery chain. Clarence began his career at Willys Overland shortly before being drafted into the Army in 1942. During World War II, he proudly served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as an X-ray technician at Wakeman General Hospital located at Camp Atterbury near Columbus, Indiana. Also working on base was his future bride, Mary Ann Bensheimer. They married on April 22, 1945, and were blessed with 69 years together. After discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant (T4), he returned to Toledo and his job at Willys Overland retiring from Chrysler Jeep with 43 years of service as a master mechanic in 1985.
	1945 CJ2a 11495

Joe Friday Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Sponsor Member x 2 Joined: 26 Dec. 2010 Location: Jeep Central Status: Offline Points: 3654	Post Options Post Reply Quote Joe Friday Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug. 2014 at 5:37am
	Thank You for posting this as a tribute to your uncle. I am sorry for your loss. I was just looking at the Toledo map tonight (since I still scour the area for parts) so I know exactly where Dorr and Reynolds are. (Not to mention my wifes uncle was a Manager for the Kroger Chain.) You should be proud of your Uncle. Sounds like he was a fine man. I wish I could have met him, but my first visit to the plant was 1987. Edited by Joe Friday - 14 Aug. 2014 at 5:39am

Lee MN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 13 Aug. 2008 Location: Harris, MN Status: Offline Points: 4950	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lee MN Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug. 2014 at 3:38am
	Bensch, Sorry for your loss. Thanks for posting!, your uncle lived an interesting life. Lee
	LEE 44 GPW-The Perfected Willys 49 2A “If you wait, you only get older” 67 M715 American Made Rolling History

Glennstin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 08 July 2006 Location: Smithfield, Maine Status: Offline Points: 203	Post Options Post Reply Quote Glennstin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Dec. 2014 at 11:13pm
	Hi Bensh, Thank you for this tribute. I just tuned in. Can you tell us some of his jobs at The Overland, a story or two from his working days would be nice, and anything that would give us a peek inside those walls during those early Jeep Production times. We love those employees that turned the screws.
	'50 Jeepster, Two '55 Customs (Aero), '58 CJ3B, Willys Special Equipment, Literature, AL-TOY JEEPS

BENSH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 27 May 2013 Location: Central IN. Status: Offline Points: 1074	Post Options Post Reply Quote BENSH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Dec. 2014 at 1:51am
	I really don’t know the inside details of his career at Willys but will ask the girls and my aunt to perhaps relay some of their memories, and perhaps the stories that he told. When I get a reply I’ll pass it on through these pages. Thanks to all for comments and interest.
	1945 CJ2a 11495

jaksjep Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 03 Nov. 2013 Location: Southern CA Status: Offline Points: 471	Post Options Post Reply Quote jaksjep Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Dec. 2014 at 7:37am
	My eternal thanks to a man who helped build the BEST off road vehicle ever made. May he rest in peace..
	My posts are my personal opinion and are not legal advice as I am not an attorney. If you act on any of my comments you do so at your own risk.