Art Burkett has provided references that Williams father was a "Circuit Rider" for the Methodist Church in the Arkansas territory prior to statehood.
This same reference also eludes to a possible name change. The original family name may have been "Willis". The reason for the change and the legitimacy is unknown. It could also be a maiden name? On the other hand, Rev. Joseph Willis and his children are widely known and revered as early ministers in Louisiana and while a direct link has not been established, William or his parents may have been related somehow.
William identifed his birthplace as Louisiana consistently in census'. I have researched all of the Grays living in Louisiana in the 1830's and 1840's. The most likely parents of William Gray are the family of Thomas Gray of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. I have shown the supporting information on Thomas Gray on a seperate page available on the button to the left.