Gray Chairman Dr. Billy Mayher Dies At 77

Gray Television announced today that William E. Mayher III, the chairman of the board since August 1993, died Jan. 31 in Athens, Ga.  He was 77 years old.

Throughout his tenure, Mayher had been an active member of Gray’s board of directors, serving on and chairing virtually every board committee at various times.  For more than 20 years, Gray said, “he provided stability and reliable leadership as Gray transformed itself from a small newspaper publisher and broadcaster into one of the largest pure-play television groups in the country.”

“We are saddened by the loss of our chairman, Billy Mayher,” said Hilton H. Howell Jr., Gray vice chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Billy’s tremendous strength of character was as great as his remarkable humility for all that this brilliant man achieved — and gave — throughout his life. Gray is a better company because of Billy’s leadership, and we will continue to dedicate ourselves to the values that he imparted to us.”

Mayher had a long career as a neurosurgeon in Albany, Ga., from 1970 to 1998. Among his many other civic responsibilities, he served as chairman of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia; chairman of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation Board; and chairman of the Albany Regional Airport Commission. He also served on numerous boards, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame Board.   

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 212 N Jefferson St., Albany, Ga.