William Rade DeGraw, Jr.

William “Bill” R. DeGraw, Jr., of Lewisville, passed away surrounded by family on Saturday, July 13, 2024. He was born in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey to William and Urana “Rainy” DeGraw. Bill graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971 and attended Wake Forest University School of Law, graduating in 1975. Bill was a successful attorney for many years with Wilson, DeGraw & Miller before retiring to focus on his late wife’s battle with breast cancer. Bill was a proud veteran, having served in the United States Marine Corps. An avid fisherman, Bill fished all over the world and kept a log of every fish he caught. He was happiest with a bent rod in hand whether he was offshore at Hatteras, in the Bahamas, wading rivers in the North Carolina mountains, or exploring the waters of some other exotic locale. Some of his proudest fishing accomplishments were the 1,337lb blue marlin he caught off the shore of Ascension Island, fly fishing for sailfish in Guatemala, and his personal record of catching over 2,000 trout within one year in the North Carolina mountains. Bill was known for his intellect, generous and kind heart, sense of humor, and adventurous approach to life. A devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he will be dearly missed by all those who loved him. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Kay E. DeGraw. He is survived by his two daughters and their spouses, Jennifer Scott DeGraw (Michael Maddy) and Lauren DeGraw Webb (Graeme Webb); and two grandchildren, Bennett and Lisle. Bill is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Martin and Denise DeGraw, and their son, Dylan, of New Bern. The family plans to hold a private memorial service at a future date.