Name: Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery
Address: Louisville, KY

I was deeply saddened to learn of Billy Ray's passing.   I had a deep deep respect for his Godly manner and his time in the pastorate at Cramer.  He had a tough challenge succeeding my grandfather's 38-year tenure as pastor but did so with a grace and gentleness that was remarkable.  I was awed by his ability to communicate and relate – and his gentle demeanor was a magnet drawing people to the simple truth.  You got a glimpse of Jesus when you met Billy Ray – smiling, gentle, and an amazing teaching ability.  My mother had a special affection for Billy Ray and Mary and their kids – she loved them as her own.   How indescribable are the riches of a life lived for Christ!  We have witnessed it in Billy Ray's life.

Heaven is truly richer with Billy Ray Lewter there.I don't remember ever seeing him at SCC when he wasn't smiling.

We only knew Dr. Lewter through his most bright and loving granddaughter, Joelle. She will soon be my daughter in law, and a part of another large loving family. She always spoke of her grandfather in the dearest terms,and obviously held him in high regard. I cant even imagine the impact he has made on so many people, especially the young who are forming their view of life as they grow. I will be very glad to meet him one day, when I go to join the Lord.

Mary- There just are not words to tell you how I love you and Billy.  I remember seeing him at Sellersburg just shortly after Denny and I became engaged and he gripped my hand and said, "I stayed up all night and praised God when I heard you two were engaged".  And I'm sure he did.

Bro. Billy Ray was my speech teacher at Southeastern Christian College in 1972.  I remember his happy spirit.  We would be coming into class and be greeted with a warm hello and a big smile.  The thing about it was this....he rarely stopped smiling!  It was hard to be in a bad mood around him.  He exuded the love of God.  I know he made me feel calm and important when it was my turn to stand up in front of the class. May God comfort each of you that were very near and dear to him.  He made his earthly home a better one for all of us because of his walk with Jesus!

The grace of God has given us many friends and teachers that we did not deserve.  Billy Ray was one of the finest and a godly example.  The classes I took under him at Southeastern Christian College in Winchester, KY were the most memorable of my two years at SCC.  

My condolences to Mary and the family.

Tribute to Dr. Billy Ray Lewter

There are professors, and then there are Professors.  Professors who are more than just fonts of information or even sparks of inspiration.  Professors who are interested in who you are, not just as a student, but as a person, and as a child of God.  Dr. Billy Ray Lewter was one of the few in the latter category, a special elite "faculty club" reserved only for the most memorable and beloved.  I'm not sure which comes to mind first:  his broad, genuine smile or his bright red hair!  No matter, what also comes to mind is his brilliant mind and his enormous heart.  A man whose intellect made you proud to be a Christian, too, in an academic world so disdainful of "the faithful."  A man whose compassion was sincere, whose integrity was above reproach, and whose sense of humor was often unexpected but delightful.  Encouraged in his speech class, I was excited to stand before audiences to share my story; fascinated in his psychology classes, I was tempted to change my major from English to any subject he taught.  

Billy Ray will always signify the hero in my memory when he "saved" me from the snake a certain "friend" saw fit to bring to class, knowing my ophidiophobia.  Billy Ray protected me, cowering behind him, while ordering the student to remove the offending reptile from the classroom; he later advised me not to try to conquer this phobia--just to avoid as many snakes as I possibly could!  At our graduation from Southeastern Christian College (May 1976), he thoughtfully addressed each graduate as the fictional character he felt we represented:  to him, I was Jonathan Livingstone Seagull, soaring high, above and beyond the rest of the flock.  His words have always been wind beneath my wings.  

Not having seen him much since those days at Southeastern, I cannot say I will miss him now--I've already been missing him--but I can say I am looking forward to spending eternity with him and all the rest of our family and friends with the Lord we love to serve.  I know he and Kyle (my late husband) are rejoicing in their reunion now, and though my heart hurts for Mary and the children here, knowing the sorrow of separation they are enduring, the anticipation of our great joy at that final reunion restrains my tears.  Thank you, Lord, for sharing Billy Ray with us this short while, and thank you for rewarding him now for a lifetime of good and faithful servitude.  As always, he leads the way, making it easier for us to follow.
      --Rebecca Luttrell Briley, Ph.D.
      Southeastern Christian College, Class of 76

I was extremely privileged to have Dr. Lewter as a Psychology professor at PBA. I looked forward to going to his classes every week as I knew there would be something new and interesting I would learn from him. I've gained a wealth of knowledge from Dr. Lewter and I can truly say he has left a profound impact on my life. I always admired his love for God and especially his wife and family. I was really saddened to hear about his passing but I know for a fact he has left a legacy because of the many lives he impactes. Dr. Lewter was a great man and he will always hold a special place in my heart. 

To the Lewter's may God comfort you as only he can during this difficult time.

Dear Mrs. Lewter and family – my heart broke on Saturday when I heard of the passing of Dr. Lewter.  My deepest sympathy to you and your extended family.  While we mourn the loss of a great man, I feel blessed and honored that he was part of mine.  He was a brilliant teacher who taught from the heart and without a doubt was one of my favorite teachers at PBA.  I truly looked forward to going to his classes or visiting him at his office.  Words cannot express how I felt every time I saw him and your family at our volleyball games.  I know that I am a better person for having known him and I look back in gratitude because he was part of my life.  May God bless you and keep you in peace. Mr. Lewter will always hold a special place in my heart, Becca Acevedo

Dear Mrs. Lewter and family - my heart broke on Saturday when I heard of the passing of Dr. Lewter.  My deepest sympathy to you and your family.  While we mourn the loss of a great man, I feel blessed and honored that he was part of my life.  He was a brillian teacher who taught from the heart and without a doubt was one of my favorite teachers at PBA.  I truly looked forward to going to his classes or visiting at his office.  Words cannot express how I felt every time I saw him and your family at our volleyball games.  I know that I am a better person for having known him and I look back in gratitude because he was part of my life.  May God bless you and keep you in peace.  Mr. Lewter will always hold a special place in my heart - Becca Acevedo

When I look back over my journey through life there are a handful of men that have offered a helping hand to me on my way. One of those is Dr. Lewter. I was a student under Dr. Lewter in the 80's at Bryan College. As a young man and a new Christian I can't imagine a better Professor to study under. He was gentle with my questions and encouraged my curiosity. He took a group of us to Atlanta for a Crabb/Allander conference in my Junior year and I can never thank him enough for that “introduction”. Some 30 years later etched in my memory are his humility, his love for all around him and his insatiable desire to help the brokenhearted. He was a true gentleman and a pure delight to have known. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. I can't wait to see what “heavenly attire” he has chosen to wear and talk with him again about O. Hobart Mowrer and his latest thoughts on cross cultural counseling.

It was a pleasure and growing experience to attend London with Dr. and Mary Lewter in 2003. They both were a wonderful influence on all of us for those months and I know he will be dearly missed by all. I'm happy to know that he is receiving a great reward in heaven!

I remember Dr. Lewter when he was known as just “Billy Ray.”  I became acquainted with him at the Portland Ave. church in Louisville, KY in the late 1960s.  Later when I did graduate work at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Billy Ray was the pastor of the Cramer & Hanover church there.  I appreciated his messages so much and his interest in me and my career.  In fact several times during the 1970-71 school year, he asked me to fill the pulpit and preach for him at Cramer.  I treasure those days.  I will miss him; my condolences and prayers go to Mary and his extended family.

I truly loved him. He had a profound impact on my life. He was my favorite college professor. I always missed your family when I got married and moved away. My prayers and love go out to you

Dr. Lewter was an inspiration and example to many, and I am privileged to also consider he and his wife my friends. I spent a semester in London with Dr. Lewter, and can really credit his class, Career Psychology, as a determining factor in the steps I took to work with children and families. He spent his life traveling, studying, and teaching. He shared his life and experiences with humility and sincerity. His influence on so many students will always be remembered and sorely missed.

Our thoughts & prayers are with your family.

I never had the privilege to have Dr. Lewter as a teacher, but I was priviledged to be welcomed into his home as part of the family during my days at PBA.  He was a wonderful friend and example!!!!

Dr. Lewter or B. Lewt as many of called him, introduced many PBA students to the world of travel including myself.  He was a kind man.

What a wonderful man he was.  He will be missed.

My heart grieves as the world lost a great man of G-d. Dr. Lewter was more than a college professor. He was my mentor and friend. I loved him dearly, as did so many others. He will forever be a legacy in my life.

We have lost a great man, a mentor, a friend, and a role model to all ll. Rest in Peace.

Our daughter Elly had Dr. Lewter for several classes at PBA and so often commented on how much he meant to her and how strong a stand he took for Christ in all he taught. She often would call home to tell us of something she learned in one of his classes. He came to her volleyball matches and was always an encouragement to her. While we never had the opportunity to meet him, we are so very thankful for the way he invested in our daughter's life. God bless you all, Lewter family, as you smile through your tears at the wonderful legacy of your husband, father, and grandfather.

OBITUARY

Dr. Billy Ray Lewter

August 17, 1936 – April 19, 2014

Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery

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