William Harrison Ray, Jr., a resident of Mountain Brook, died on April 16, 2024. Born September 5, 1927, in Birmingham, he grew up in Norwood and was an Eagle Scout. He attended Phillips High School and graduated from the University of Alabama where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta social fraternity. He served in the US Army 1946/47 and US Air Force 1950/51.
Billy’s entire business career was spent in the Investment Division of Liberty National Life Insurance Company and Torchmark. He retired as Executive Vice President and Treasurer after 40 years of service. He was a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the Chicago Society of Financial Analysts.
He served on the Boards of Directors at Liberty National, Brown Service Funeral Homes Company, Shook & Fletcher Insulation Company and the Supplemental Pension Plan of the Birmingham Police and Firefighters.
A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, he was a member of Norwood Methodist, First United Methodist and Canterbury United Methodist where he was a member of the J.O.Y. Sunday School Class. He served on the Official Boards of First United and Canterbury.
As a member of the Country Club of Birmingham, he played golf with the High Price Golf Group. He was a former member of Willow Point Country Club, Birmingham Kiwanis Club and The Club.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 71 years, Jeannette Leslie Ray and his parents, William Harrison Ray and Ruth Milam Ray. He is survived by his daughters Suzanne Ray Hoye (Jim) and Katherine Ray Gaines (Buddy); grandchildren Leslie Elizabeth Peerson and William Wade Peerson, and great grandchildren Kylie Ray Peerson and Sterling Peerson.
The family would like to thank Home Instead for his wonderful caregivers: Rosie, Robin, Deb, Glenda, Davette and Michelle.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 on April 25th, 2024 at Canterbury United Methodist Church in the Chapel. Visitation will be at 1:30 in the Church Parlor.
The family has suggested that in lieu of remembrances, memorials be made to Canterbury United Methodist of to the charity of your choice.
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