Arkansas Online

Bill Ray

Bill Ray, age 75, of Pine Bluff, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Fort Smith. He was born Doyle William Ray on August 3, 1946, at Pine Bluff to the late Corporal Doyle Ray and Letha Allison Ray. He grew up at the Pine Bluff Arsenal and was a 1964 graduate of White Hall High School. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Bill left college to work for Winchester Auto Parts, and then for Kroger grocery stores, where he was employed for 36 years. He retired in 2006 and pursued his love of fishing with his good friend, Jimmy Gross. Bill was an active and proud member of Shannon Road Baptist Church.

He loved to make people laugh and smile and never met a stranger. Bill also volunteered at Trinity Village Medical Center where he called Bingo games and held a Bible study on Sunday mornings. He loved sitting outside with his great-grandchildren watching birds. Bill was very active in the community serving as chairman of the Sheraton Park Neighborhood Watch, the Silver-Haired Legislature, and the Arkansas Volunteerism Commission.

He was also predeceased by his first wife, Beverly Graham Ray; his only son, Doyle E. W. Ray; Norma’s mother, Clara Ridgway, and his loving cat, Cuddles. Survivors include his wife, Norma Ridgway Harper Ray whom he married on February 14, 2008; brother, Garie Ray (Leslie) of White Hall; daughters, Carol Ferguson (Daryl) of Sheridan, and Mandy Stringfellow of Monticello; daughter-in-law, Lori Ray of Blytheville; former son-in-law, Billy Stringfellow of Redfield; grandchildren, Ashley Breedlove (Amos) of Roland, Okla., Jennifer Walker (Jordan) of Escondido, Calif., Julie Boyer (Allen) of Queen Creek, Ariz., Steffan Stringfellow of Redfield and Taylor Page of Blytheville. Bill also had four great-grandchildren who he loved very much, Austin, Trevor, and Hannah Breedlove, and Logan Boyer; and his loving cat, Pretty Girl.

Bill’s funeral service will be held Thursday, May 26, 2022, 10:30 a.m., at Robinson & Fuller White Hall Funeral Chapel with Brother Josh Blevins officiating. Burial will be private. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 25, 2022, from 5-7:30 p.m., at the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit: FullerFunerals.com

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2022-05-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://edition.arkansasonline.com/article/282424172837165

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