Walter Gray became deeply involved in the formation and development of organized youth soccer in 1967 when he helped kickstart the Soccer Youth League of Georgia. That first year, Gray coached three teams himself.
He is said to have loved the game for its "simple beauty," which he defined as a combination of athletic ability, basic soccer skills, an attitude of sportsmanship and fair play, a sense of playing as part of a team while developing an individual style and the love of a simple, straightforward approach to playing every game. Gray taught the game that way over the years, to team after team of enthusiastic youngsters. He practically spent every spare hour on the field. His views were definite, and he championed his view of soccer development throughout his career.
He was an ardent advocate and leader in developing a credible Junior Soccer Program in those early days, when all too few soccer volunteers either did not want to or did not know enough to teach the game to teenagers. There are more than a few young men now who rightfully claim to have been positively influenced by Walter’s dedicated efforts with his Junior teams.
In 1997, Gray was posthumously inducted into the Georgia Soccer Hall of Fame.