Hiram “Ross” Grayam, a decorated World War II veteran turned milkman, was killed in 1968 in Florida in what authorities described as an “execution-style” murder. Grayam failed to return from his regular delivery route on April 11, 1968, and a girl reported seeing him running towards his milk truck and witnessing two gunmen inside. A search was launched, and Grayam’s body was found deep in the woods, along with his truck, shot several times. Despite exhaustive efforts, his killer remained at large for decades. The case was re-examined by the sheriff’s office Cold Case Unit, and new leads emerged that led to Thomas J. Williams, who had confessed to Grayam’s murder, before his death.
The case went cold for many years until Larry Grayam, the son of the victim, did an interview with a local media outlet in 2006, which brought attention back to the case. Thomas Williams had previously denied involvement in the murder but later confessed to two individuals before his death. In 2022, an inmate related to Williams came forward and told detectives that Williams had confessed to killing the milkman in 1968. Another witness, Williams’ ex-wife, also came forward in December 2023 with a similar account. These witnesses were only willing to speak after Williams’ death, as they considered him a threat while he was alive. The sheriff’s office did not disclose the identity of another suspect in the case.
The announcement of the resolution of Grayam’s cold case murder was described by his son as “bittersweet,” as it brought closure to the family. Grayam was remembered as a beloved milkman and decorated veteran who had received a Purple Heart for his service in World War II. The sheriff’s office noted that the case was finally cracked due to the cooperation of witnesses who provided crucial information that led to the identification of the suspect. Flowers acknowledged the courage of the witnesses who came forward despite their fear of reprisal while Williams was alive. The case serves as an example of the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement agencies in solving cold cases, even decades after the crime was committed.
The chilling details of Grayam’s murder, including the scene of him being shot multiple times in the woods alongside his truck, added to the mystery of the case. The sheriff’s office’s Cold Case Unit’s re-investigation and the cooperation of witnesses played a crucial role in finally solving the decades-old murder. The involvement of multiple witnesses who independently provided similar accounts of Williams confessing to the crime added credibility to the case. Grayam’s legacy as a beloved milkman and a decorated war veteran was highlighted in the announcement of the case’s resolution, bringing closure to his family after years of uncertainty and unanswered questions.
The re-emergence of the case in 2006, following Larry Grayam’s interview with a local media outlet, provided a new lead that eventually led to the identification of Thomas Williams as a suspect in the murder. Williams’ denial of involvement in the past, followed by his later confession to multiple individuals, added layers of complexity to the investigation. The sheriff’s office’s dedication to pursuing justice in Grayam’s case, even after decades had passed, demonstrated their commitment to seeking closure for victims’ families and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes. The resolution of the cold case murder of Hiram “Ross” Grayam serves as a reminder of the importance of persistence and collaboration in solving long-standing mysteries and bringing criminals to justice.
