Mr. William R. Ray Sr.

Mr. William Roosevelt Ray, Sr., was born August 21, 1932, to Ms. Jessie Powell and Mr. Sammy Ray in Milan, Tennessee. William grew up in Milan, moved to Trenton and later to Jackson, Tennessee. He was a proud graduate of Rosenwald High School (1952). William was very athletic and excelled in basketball, football and track. He was inducted into the Gibson County Sports Hall of Fame April 6, 2018. William began his studies at Tennessee State University before enlisting in the US Army and received an honorable discharge. William accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at an early age. He was a faithful member of First Baptist in Trenton until his health failed. He served as a deacon, usher and loved to share stories with the youth. William also actively served at the Bethlehem #2 Baptist Church. William retired from Milan Arsenal and worked part-time at the University School of Jackson. He loved to attend church, travel, go out to eat, and spend time with family. William really loved his family and friends. He was extremely outgoing, had an engaging personality and had that signature smile! William was very fashionable and loved wearing suits and hats. Oh, how he loved his watches. In his early years, William married Ms. Shirley Ewell. To this union four children were born in which one preceded him in death. William fought a good fight and departed this life peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2020. He leaves to cherish his precious memories: Frankie--his loving and devoted wife of nearly 32 years; children--William R. “Bubba” (Charlotte) Ray, Jr.of Bartlett, Tennessee; Tina Ray (Prentice) Doaks of Antioch, Tennessee and Daphyne Ray of Nashville, Tennessee; two step-children—Geraldine (Keith) McBride of Collierville and Kenneth W. (Cheryl) Spivey of Jackson; two godchildren—Alan (Tiffany) Spivey of Jackson and Lisa (Terrell) Brooks of Denmark; grandchildren—Ryan and Chloe Ray of Memphis; Johnathan (Markeyta) Doaks of Dallas, TX, and Chelsea Doaks of Brooklyn, NY; Keith McBride II of Collierville; Mia and Mya Spivey of Jackson; Janessa, Bradley, and Jeremy Joy of Nashville and Yaden Taylor also of Nashville; sister-in-law Betty (Ray) Woods of Henderson; brothers-in-law Larry (Brenda) Spivey of Jackson and

Mr. William R. Ray Sr.

August 21, 1932 - July 26, 2020