After two decades as rector of the Church of the Advent in Nashville, he was elected bishop of the new Missionary Jurisdiction of Southern Florida.

[3] Gray served for 21 years in Florida before submitting his resignation on grounds of ill health in October 1913.

Their son, Campbell Gray born January 6, 1879, later became Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana.

William Crane Gray retired as Missionary Bishop of Southern Florida in 1913 and went to live with his son in Nashville, where he died on November 14, 1919.

The World War II Liberty Ship SS William Crane Gray was named in his honor.