William Harry Graves

William Harry Graves - November 28,1943 - April 19,2017 Bill Graves is known for his outgoing personality, sense of humor, interpersonal insight, commitment to education, advocacy for students and his unconditional love of his family and friends. His personal interests include sports, travel, music, and time spent with friends and family, especially his grandson. Bill was born in Washington, DC on November 28, 1943, the seventh of eight children of Percy Willard Graves and Thelma Money Graves He attended elementary school in DC and then attended Stoddert Junior High after moving to Maryland. He graduated from Suitland Senior High where he was President of the Chorus and played football. In the fall of 1961, Bill entered Frostburg State College as a history major, played on the first football team and joined Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity in the spring. Campus life at Frostburg made an indelible impact on his personal and professional life. He gained the foundational skills needed to become a successful educator; he began life long relationships with men and women that have spanned 50+years as well as meeting Barbara, his wife of 49 years. The importance of friendships developed during his college years led to the formation of a group he initiated after graduation. Pay Day Friday allowed college friends to reunite once a month. This effort has led to 50+ years of family/friendship related gatherings to include annual visits to the Pageant of Peace, New Year’s Eve sleep-overs, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, July 4th events, many dinner gatherings, cruises (Billy and the Cruisers), annual card trips, and visiting the colleges of his friends’ children. The group has been inclusive as members encouraged friends of friends to join in on the fun and good times. Upon his college graduation in 1965, Bill began his career in Prince George’s County as a history and civics teacher at Robert Goddard Junior High School. As he was completing his Masters’ Degree in Guidance and Counseling, Bill was offered a guidance position at Friendly High School and later at Frederick Douglass and High Point high schools. Seeking to be closer to home in Charles County, Bill accepted a counseling position at John Hanson Middle School and then moved to Thomas Stone High School. He would retire in 2005. Mr. Graves had the unique and enabling experience of being the counselor for a group of students from grade 6 thru grade 12. Maintaining meaningful, positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the community were the hallmarks of his career as an educator. Professionally, his interests spanned the counseling field. College and Career Fairs became a particular area of interest, as he wanted students to begin to prepare for “life after high school.” He chaired the National College Fair and was instrumental in the initiation and development of college fairs in Prince Georges and Charles County. The Alumni Association of Frostburg State University sought his interest and leadership to promote stronger connections between undergraduates and alumni in various fields and occupations. He served on the Board of Directors for more than a decade promoting seminars, mentorships, internships, and personal connections. In 1998, Bill was involved in the conceptualization and development of the Sloop Institute for Excellence in Leadership Development, a campus wide program to identify and develop student leadership potential at Frostburg. This interest has led to a leadership minor on the campus. Bill has been both speaker and a presenter at Sloop events. He also is part of a team of close friends that organize an annual golf tournament that funds the Weimer Scholarship as part of the Sloop Institute. In 2000, Frostburg recognized him with the Alumni Achievement Award and in 2017 with the Service to Alma Mater Award. In many ways, Bill has never left Frostburg! In the Graves family, he is known as “Jug” or “Uncle Jug”, short for Jughead, a nickname bestowed by his father. His parents; his brothers, Jack, Bobby and Gene Graves, his sisters, Ruth Locke, Amy Hendrix, and Loys Petr; and his father-in- law, Sidney Renick, predecease him. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Renick); his son, Kyle; his grandson, Liam; his sister, Judy Coleman (Joseph Jr); his sisters-in-law, Pauline Graves and Doris Graves; mother-in-law, Margaret Renick; brother-in-law, Barry Renick (Denise); multiple generations of nieces and nephews; and an extended family of close friends. The ongoing support of family, friends, colleagues and neighbors has been a source of strength during his battle with Post Sepsis Syndrome. Bill wanted to say thank you to those who encouraged and supported him during his illness. His decision was to host a casual thank-you gathering with food and drink. His wish will be honored to celebrate his lifetime of relationships at 2PM on Monday, May 22, 2017, at Middleton Hall, 4045 Renner Rd., Waldorf, MD 20602, 301-870- 1000, www.middletonhall.com. Please refer to facebook.com/bravos2bill to post and share thoughts, comments, stories, and photos. TO ASSIST THE GRAVES' FAMILY IN PLANNING, PLEASE RSVP TO jdratti8@verizon.net (WITH THE NUMBER OF THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND) NO LATER THAN MAY 10, 2017. In Bill’s honor, donations may be made to the Frostburg State Foundation/Sloop Leadership Institute, c/o Frostburg State University, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD 21532-2303 or the Charles County Retired School Personnel Association Scholarship Fund, c/o Janice Carpenter, 4303 Rye Drive, Waldorf, MD 20602.

William Harry Graves

November 28, 1943 - April 19, 2017