William Graves III

Less than one month from his 102nd birthday, William Caruthers Graves III passed with his son Randy Graves and caregiver Ruby by his side in Memphis, TN . He was born on January 17, 1923 and passed December 28, 2024.

Bill Graves was the son of William C. Graves Jr. and Abbey Louise McGehee Graves, Cotton Merchants during Memphis cotton boom and started his early years living in Europe with his parents as Cotton Merchants. They came back to the States where Bill finished high school at Fortier High School in New Orleans, LA. 

He was married to the love of his life Catherine Colton Williams Graves for over 60 years until her passing. Together they loved to entertain, travel, read and most of all their family. They loved visiting Catherine’s brother Randolph and his wife Elizabeth multiple times in Hatteras North Carolina. They loved deeply and were proud of their sons William Rayner Graves of Cordova, TN and Margaret Graves, Randolph Wirt Graves and wife Lisa Stutzman Graves Mobile Al.

Bill was a combat medic with the 3rd Infantry Division in the Europe A-21. He was awarded US Army Purple Heart for Action in the Anzio, Italy invasion. He also received Distinguished Veteran badge and Croix de Guerve Award. 

He was also an big LSU fan, his room at Belmont Assisted Living decorated with all his collectables and his LSU blanket was always with him. Bill was past president of Sigma Chi while at LSU and would breakout in the biggest smile when you started talking about LSU. He couldn’t have been more thrilled when he discovered daughter in law, Lisa was an LSU graduate and that they worked in the same industry. 

Bill started his career at WHBQ Radio as an advertising account executive for 25 years during the heyday of Elvis' career. Bill won numerous awards for his outstanding performance and dedication to his career. 

Past Board members Memphis Advertising Federation

Past President Sales Club of Memphis

Elder Evergreen Presbyterian Church 

Active in fundraising for Cancer Crusade, United Neighbors, Heart Fund, Boy Scouts and Memphis Chamber of Commerce.

All who knew Bill would say he was a man of compassion, outstanding ethics and moral sensibility. When daughter in law Lisa Graves first met him 6 years ago, she went to hug him goodbye and he whispered in her ear “I’ve been praying for somebody like you”. That comment was the heart of Bill Graves.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to caregiver Ruby Owens, their angel on earth and the wonderful staff at Belmont Village. Ruby also took care of Mrs. Graves in her latter years and is and always will be considered a family member. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice or the Boy Scouts. There will be a family burial at the family plot on January 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in The New Cleveland Cemetery, Cleveland, MS.