He was born on August 18, 1928 to the late Loy W. Powell Sr. and Ida Seal Powell in Forsyth County. Ray was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. He retired from Central Motor Lines and Ideal Trucking as a driver. Ray was a WWII United States Navy Veteran and a member of the Cooksville Masonic Lodge 502.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife; Mary Stafford Powell; and two brothers, Loyd “Bill” Powell Jr. and Charles Powell.
Survivors include his daughter, Sandra Herman and husband Ronald of Hickory; son, Dickie Powell and wife Linda of Conover; grandchildren, Diana Mauney and husband Patrick of Raleigh, Scott Powell and wife Donna of Hickory; great grandchildren, Justin Powell and wife Heather of Hickory, Nathan Mauney and wife Ashley of Trinity, FL; great great granddaughter, Darcy Powell; brother, Richard Powell and wife Margie of Hickory; sisters-in-law, Rachel Powell of Hickory, Joann Stafford of Newton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. David Drysdale will be officiating the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Amvets Post 76. Masonic Rights will be provided by the Cooksville Masonic Lodge 502.
He will lie in state on Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Hickory Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1911 Zion Church Rd., Hickory, NC 28602.