Willie Ogden Ray, Jr, 93, passed away to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 1, 2018. He was born on December 3, 1924 in Tioga, Louisiana. He joined the Army in 1943 and served in the US Army Corp of Engineers as Tech Sergeant in World War II until 1946. After the army he attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute on the GI Bill, being voted Mr. Southwestern during this time. He graduated in 1951 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Ray spent his working career as Vice President and Chief Engineer at MRS Manufacturing Company, Flora, MS. He was a lifelong cattleman and breeder of Simbrah cattle.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 3, at Lakewood Funeral Home from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. with a service at 2:00.
Mr. Ray is preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Carolyn Pee Ray, his parents, Hallie and Willie O Ray Sr, and his younger brother, Horace Hilton Ray.
He is survived by four children, Susan McCall (Morris), Lynn Mosal (David), Dawn Cleveland (Keith) and Billy Ray (Cynde); grandchildren Justin Tichenor (Brittany), Michael McGinnis (Neely), Carey Hoover (Jeff), Melinda Biglane (Patrick), Leigh Anne Creekmore (Matthew) and Katie Mayer (Jacob). He was blessed with thirteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Claudette Klaas and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Ray is also preceded in death by his second wife Alexia Hart Ray and is survived by five step-children Susan Hester, Jim Hart, Carol Hoyt (Edd), Terry Kaplan and Michael Hart and their children.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Please visit lakewoodfuneralhomes.com for online guestbook.