Billy Ray Eason

Billy Ray Eason, 79, peacefully passed away at Duke Raleigh Hospital on Tuesday, November 24th, surrounded by his loving family. Billy Ray had fought a four and a half year battle with cancer, maintaining a positive attitude to the end, and finding daily comfort in the Twenty Third Psalm. A native of Johnston County, Billy Ray was born on June 11, 1936, the son of Brack and Annie Lee Eason. He worked with the NCSU Physical Plant for twenty-nine years, retiring in 1996. He and his wife, Gracie, moved to Clayton in 1968 where he became an avid Clayton High School sports fan, following all teams and serving as one of the Comet football’s “Chain Gang” for twenty-five years. Mr. Eason also loved the NCSU Wolfpack and his home church, Hocutt Baptist, where he and Gracie had been members since October 2000. Billy Ray is survived by his wife of sixty years, Gracie Fowler Eason; his daughter Kathy Koehl and husband Harry Koehl of Garner; his son, Mike Eason and wife Brenda Lee Eason of Clayton; brother, Robert Lee Eason and wife Ruby of Knightdale, sister, Judy Finch and husband Jimmy of Selma, his grandchildren, Scott Koehl of Garner, Tiffany and Johnathon Johnson of McGee’s Crossroads, Ryan Eason and Ashley Morton of Raleigh; and one great-grandson, Kai Maddox Eason, who was the “apple” of his eye! Many nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00pm, Saturday, November 28th at Hocutt Baptist Church in Clayton. The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00-8:00pm Friday evening, November 27th at McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton. The family would like to thank Dr. Daniel George, Dr. Sara Woods, PA, and Dr. Brant Inman of Duke Cancer Center for the outstanding care provided to Mr. Eason during his illness, as well as the staff at Duke Raleigh Hospital for making his last two weeks as comfortable and peaceful as possible. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hocutt Baptist Church Building Fund, 314 West Horne St, Clayton, NC 27520, or to the Duke Cancer Center 20 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710. Online condolences may be sent to the Eason family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com.