Bryan "Jay" Grafton
July 10, 1932 — July 7, 2017
Bryan “Jay” Grafton, 84, of Orion, IL, died Friday, July 07, 2017, at Avonlea Cottage, Milan, IL.
A family directed memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2017, at Beulah Presbyterian Church in Rural Township. Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd., Orion, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Jay was born on July 10, 1932, in Moline, IL, the son of Bryan W. and Mabel Ryan Grafton. He married Sonia Chilberg on March 5, 1954, in Moline. He worked as a laborer for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
For many years, Jay farmed in the Orion area and was a long-time member of Beulah Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Moline Viking Club and loved hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Also, he was a yo-yo expert, an antique collector, and a Euchre champion. Above all else, Jay was a great husband, loving father, and an awesome grandpa.
Survivors include his wife, Sonia; children, Kristjan (Forrest) Stroup, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Jodell (Terry) Bullock, Orion, IL, Joel (Sheila) Grafton, Orion, IL, Lisa Muhlenburg, Las Vegas, NV, and Bryan (Becky) Grafton, II, Dixon, IL; 16 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Bob and Jim.
Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.