Thomas "Sonny" Nue Grayam

Thomas “Sonny” Nue Grayam, 79, of Eau Claire, passed away Thursday, June 21, 2018, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville after a sudden illness.

Sonny was born July 21, 1938, in Cobden, Illinois, to Thomas and Caroline (O’Daniel) Grayam. He married Shirley Chastain, his love and lifelong partner, on June 30, 1961. They started their life together in Berrien Springs and moved to Eau Claire in October 1981. They had three children: Tommy, Sonya, and Todd.

Sonny is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Sonya Baker; son, Todd (Karen) Grayam; two brothers and four sisters: Donald Grayam of Berrien Springs, Charles Grayam of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Kate Lawrence of Round O, South Carolina, Sally Keys of Dowagiac, Arlene Cole of Leesburg, Florida, and Charlene Kehr of South Bend, Indiana. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Dustin, Megan, and Alisha Colburn; Zachary Baker; Todd A. Grayam Jr.; Brittany, Shirley, and Preston Poisel; and five great-grandchildren: Zariah Colburn; Silas Willey; Piaitllynn, Madelynn, and Preston Jr. Poisel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Caroline Grayam; a son, Tommy Grayam; stepmother, Martha Grayam; and sister, Nora Grayam.

Sonny worked at Clark Equipment and Lyons Industry, which he retired from in 2001. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling, and he took pride in having a beautiful yard. He enjoyed volunteering at Central County Senior Center in Berrien Springs.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, June 25, at Allred Funeral Home in Berrien Springs, with visitation from noon til 2 p.m. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Berrien Springs. Messages and memories may be shared online at www.allredfuneralhome.com.