He was a native of Ranger, Texas, and had been a resident of Sulphur for more than 50 years before moving to Lafayette five years ago. Ray was a graduate of Ranger High School and also Texas Tech. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He was an active member of Olivet Baptist Church, where he faithfully served by helping with the sound ministry and teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping and was skilled at building and creating just about anything, from woodworking projects to stained glass. Ray retired after 30 years of service with Colonial Pipeline as a Turbine Technician.
Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Sarah Myres and husband, Robert, of Sunset; his sister, Janie Friedlein and husband, Mike, of Nellysford, Virginia; and his granddaughter, Morgan Rae Myres, of Austin, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Marilyn Anderson Bratton; his parents, George and Sarah Louise Bratton; and his brother, Gerald "Don" Bratton.
A Celebration of William's Life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 8, at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home led by Hixson's Celebrant, Jody Tyler Espinosa. Burial will be in Bullock Cemetery in Ranger, Texas. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the funeral home.
The family would like to give special thanks to the nurses and staff of Brookdale Assisted Living as well as Southern Grace Hospice for their excellent care of William. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
