William Ellis Grady, Ph.D., 86, passed away peacefully at home on March 30, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on November 9, 1939, in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was the son of the late William and Evelyn Grady. He graduated from Teaneck High School, Class of 1958.

Dr. Grady proudly served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1964. During his service, he was stationed aboard the USS Calcaterra, serving in the North Pacific and Bering Sea as a crow’s nest lookout from 1959 to 1960.

He earned his Ph.D. in Psychology and went on to serve as Director of Psychology at Hunterdon Developmental Center, dedicating his career to the care and support of others.

Dr. Grady was an avid historian and collector of Courtenay Heraldic Miniature Knights, and enjoyed vintage sports cars, classic films, and history.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Grady, 85; son Chris Wagner and wife, Holly Coulson, son George Wagner and partner, Misti Flynn, daughter Ellen Marie Grady and husband, John Ayala De La Cruz. He is also survived by three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Military Honor Guard graveside service will be held on Monday, April 6, at 2:30 p.m. at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. For those would like to attend, please arrive by 2:15. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in his memory to Jersey Shore Animal Center, 185 Brick Boulevard, Brick Township, NJ 08723