Willie James Gregory was born March 12, 1929 in Greenwood, Mississippi. He died June 20, 2010, in Portland Oregon. Funeral services were held July 1 at his church Vancouver Avenue First Baptist.
Mr Gregory was the 11th of 15 children born to Ed Gregory and Patsy Mae Trevillion. He became a Christian at a young age. The family moved to Chicago in 1946 seeking a better life. Mr Gregory, a member of St John Baptist Church #2, became an upholsterer. He married Bernice Boldin on July 23, 1950. The couple had three children: Jerome, Valeda and Brad.
Mr and Mrs Gregory brought the family to Portland in 1968 and he found success with his Apex Upholstery Business. He trained and employed many people in upholstery, teaching classes at Portland Community College's Cascade campus and receiving recognition from local furnishing businesses. A golfer and family oriented man, he started a Family Reunion for the Gregory family in 1972.
He is survived by his loving wife Bernice, daughter Valeda, and many other close family members and friends.
