Jim was born on July 6, 1937, to Walter J. and Annie Grace (Kretsinger) Graybill in Greensburg County, Maryland; he was the second of seven children. He grew up on his Grandfather Frank Kretsinger’s farm learning farming and butchering which he later loved telling his children about.

He attended Smithsburg High School in Smithsburg, Maryland. During his high school years, he worked at Richardson’s Snack Bar in Hagerstown, Maryland, as a “soda jerk” where they prided themselves on setting a record for making more than 300 milkshakes a night.

At Richardson’s is where he met the love of his life, Ardythe Lois Norris. After meeting her, Jim and his best friend, Dick, enlisted in the Army the following Monday morning leaving Lois to wonder.

He enlisted in the US. Army Paratroopers January 1957 and was a member of the 326th Medical Division of the 101st Airborne. And yes, he still dated the beautiful dark-haired, blue-eyed girl he fell in love with. He graduated from Jump School at Ft. Campbell, KY and was honorably discharged on Oct. 7, 1959.

On Nov. 24, 1957, he and Lois were wed in the St. James Brethren Church in St. James, Maryland. They made their home in Maryland and had three children, Jimmie Steven, Jeffrey Irvin and Laurie Ann. Jim farmed and then became a mason in Washington, DC.

In 1967, the whole family moved to Broaddus, Texas to help run Jackson Hill Marina with his sister Ann and brother-in-law Barnie Henderson. Jim had always dreamed of being a cowboy and was excited to make this move.

Jim loved fishing and was able to take his father, grandfather and father-in-law fishing during the years living here. Many years of fishing and fun were had and many friends and regulars at the lake became part of the family.

Later the family moved to Trinity, Texas to manage Galloway’s Marina on Lake Livingston where more wonderful people became family. In 1973, the family moved to Taylor, Texas where Tony’s Pizza opened their Texas division.

Jim worked for Tony’s several years and then as a trim carpenter and brick layer (as well as many other construction jobs as he was a jack of all trades. One of his proudest achievements was receiving his Associate Degree in Applied Science from Temple Junior College in 1984.

He continued working in construction the rest of his life, never officially retiring, until his 80’s. He will be so very missed by his family and all of those who were lucky enough to know him. We will miss most his sense of humor, his laugh and his love for his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Walter J. and Grace (Kretsinger) Graybill, infant son David Nelson Graybill, sisters, Annabelle Henderson, Jean Eckstine, brotherin- laws, Harold Eckstine and Barnie O. Henderson, sister in laws Ada Graybill and Linda Graybill and infant grandson, Jessie Keith Graybill. He is survived by his beautiful bride of 67 years and 10 months, Lois Norris Graybill, his children, Jimmie (Susan), Jeff (Debra) and Laurie (Joshua), brothers Robert, Johnny, Roger (Sue) and Joe (Jeannie) all of Maryland, along with 12 nephews, four nieces, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and a little dog named Mitsy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Wounded Warriors and/or Tunnel 2 Towers.