William Robert Graham Jr's Obituary
William Robert Graham, Jr. was born on May 11, 1941 in Grand Junction, TN. Bill was an only child and grew up with little, but it never stopped him from striving to have the family and life he wanted. After graduating from Memphis Tech High School, Bill enlisted and served in the United States Army. When he returned to Memphis, his life would change when he met the love of his life, Mary Rebecca “Becky” Burlison while working at Hart’s Bakery. Though she was a single mother with three young children, Bill stepped in and became the father and husband they all needed, never once allowing their lack of shared blood to come between them. Becky had five siblings and a host of nieces and nephews who became the large family he loved being a part of. He attended night classes at State Technical Institute and Memphis State University to gain his Civil Engineering license and together, he and Becky worked hard to give their children a good life. After Becky’s death, he retired from 33 years with PCS Nitrogen, formerly WR Grace Chemical Company, to spend more time with his family and friends. Bill was an avid lover of all music, especially classic country and anything sung by Frank Sinatra. He was also an avid reader and loved his collection of first edition books. He was known to be a big jokester and would frequently be found playing pranks or making others laugh until they hurt. He loved every animal he encountered, whether it was the raccoons and cats he fed in the garage, or the many dogs he spoiled over the years; he considered them all family members. Bill never met a stranger and showed by action what it meant to be kind, no matter what someone looked like, what they had or who they loved. He was rarely seen without his iconic hat, and he wore it as he entered the gates of heaven on December 25th, 2022. He is preceded in death by his parents, William Robert Graham Sr. and Virginia Stanton Graham, his aunt and uncle in Grand Junction who loved him as their own, Bessie and Bud Scott, his wife and soulmate, Mary Rebecca Graham, and his son Thomas Michael Harmon. He is survived by his son Mark Harmon and his wife Mary, his daughter Melinda Harmon Winchester and her husband Phillip. He was a dearly loved “Uncle Bill” to his nieces and nephews and felt more like a father than uncle to Joel (Joey) Hunt and Renay Hunt Goodwin. He adored being a grandfather and was extremely proud of each of them; William (Chad) Lee and his fiancé James Echols, Rebecca Winchester, Dr. Christopher Harmon and his wife Adrienne, Mary Catherine Forgea and her husband Darren, Dr. Robert Harmon and his wife Patty, Laura Graham and her husband Timmy, Joseph Harmon and his fiancé Emilie, Margaret Harmon, Shawna Harmon and Mary Alice Harmon. Bill is also survived by his great-grandchildren Colin, Fiona, Warner, Ella, Lilly, Jordan, Cameron and Hazel. He was lovingly cared for by his caregiver Judy, his nurse Dana and chaplain Angela from Baptist Trinity Hospice and his friend and neighbor Jerry. As he left this life he was surrounded with loving family. We know he was happy to be reunited with all the animals he loved in his life and is having fun joking with his son Mike. And he is finally reunited with his Becky where they are dancing in the streets of gold.
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