Owen Ray Williams

Husband, Father, Brother. Friend, Pastor, Teacher. Just a few of the dozens of titles used for O Ray Williams. He was a leader, a mentor, a coach – to everyone who crossed his path. His bright smile, his sly laugh, his willingness – no, eagerness – to help anyone who needed help, are some of the things that made him a truly extraordinary person. His dedication and devotion to his craft, to his ministry, to his God, made him an extraordinary man. On September 27, 2016 Ray left our world, and went to sit side by side with his Lord.

For more than 50 years Ray Williams, and his wife Carol, committed their lives to serving God around the world. From Africa, across Mexico, South America, Cuba and all across the United States, they gave of themselves, their time and their talent for growing people into leaders.

The Williams' pastored the Great Commission Church (La Gran Comision) in Yuma for many years. They did most of their global work under their non-profit, International Crusade and Radio Evangelism, ICARE, Inc. Around the world they planted and grew churches, and leaders who went out and planted and grew more churches. Hundreds, if not thousands, of churches sprung out of the seeds planted by the Williams'.

Ray was born in Mineral Wells, Texas in 1944 and moved as a child to Yuma, AZ with his parents. Owen "Wimpy" Williams was in the military and returned to Yuma after serving in World War II when he opened the landmark restaurant Wimpy's Chili Bowl. Ray was a 1962 graduate of Yuma High School. Shortly after graduation, he and his new bride Carol committed themselves to serving the Lord and set off on a path that would lead them around the globe. They first settled at an orphanage in Baja California, Mexico, and then moved to pastoring and planting churches around Northern Mexico. For nearly a decade they raised their three children in Mexico. Ray traveled the country preaching, Carol tended the farm and home-schooled three children.

Ray was stricken with Malaria during his multiple visits to Africa. He battled disease on the desolate mountains of Mexico. He was taken by kidnappers. He survived massive, deadly earthquakes in Mexico City and Guatemala. He 'landed' his airplanes in unplanned and unexpected places. He hid from gunfire in civil wars, and walked away from motorcycle wrecks that were the joy of his youth. Ultimately cancer took his life after a nearly two-year battle.

He passed in his home of more than 30 years, with his son Darrell and wife Carol at his side. He is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Carol Williams, two daughters, Drenda Williams (Randall) and Jamie Williams Jensen (Scott), and Sons, Darrell Williams (Jeni), and Alberto Bolanos (Zobeida). He has 11 grandchildren who adore their Tata: Tommy, Bo, Kyle, Lane, Brooke, Justin, Stephanie, Sean, Sarah, Priscilla, Alberto Jr. and great granddaughter Alivia. Ray loved his brother Don Williams (Carma), and Sisters Earlene Clayton (Bill), and Jeannie Casillas (Frank). Ray just had a glorious reunion in Heaven with his father Owen, mothers Ola and Emma, and numerous dear friends.

Services will be held at Johnson Mortuary in Yuma at 10am on Monday October 3rd. In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to ICARE at PO Box 1000 Yuma, AZ 85366 Or to KIWANIS SW Foundation scholarship fund in Ray Williams name.

Pallbearers: Darrell Williams, Alberto Bolanos, Bo Williams, Lane Williams, Tommy Parada, Kyle Parada

Honorary Pallbearers: Don Williams & Scott Jensen

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel, Yuma, AZ.