William Franklin Ray Sr.

William (Bill) Ray age 97 of Ringgold, Georgia passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on September 4, 2022 in his home. Mr. Ray formerly of Chickamauga, Georgia was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lillian Beatrice Ray; parents, B.G. and Catherine Ray and nine siblings. He is survived by his three children: Brenda and Joe Helyar (Atlanta, GA), Bill and Denise Ray (Ringgold, GA), and Joyce (Tiny) and Ron Hall (Ringgold, GA); his grandchildren: Chuck and Kara Hall (Ft. Oglethorpe, GA), Katie and Andy Duffy (Ringgold, GA), Emily and Julian Dorio (Nashville, TN,) and Andy and Melissa Hall (Ringgold, GA); and his great grandchildren Gavin, Gabriel, Finn, Brooks, Benjamin, Elias, Louisa and Ida. His great grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Bill Ray was an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Chickamauga, Ga., serving as Deacon, Treasurer and Trustee over the years as well as working in the kitchen under his wife’s supervision. He retired from Ross Meehan and Eureka Foundries where he worked as an electrician. He was an active member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and served many years on the Board of the Credit Union in the 1960s. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 221 and American Legion Post 217. Bill Ray served as a signalman in the Navy during WWII on an LST in the Pacific transporting troops and prisoners. He also served in the Army attached to the 14th Battalion of Engineers in Korea and was honored with five Bronze Stars. Mr. Ray loved playing golf, making his one and only hole in one at the age of 82. He also loved reading and watching his great grandchildren play. The family appreciates the wonderful staff at Preferred Care at Home for their many years of helping to care for our family - especially Ms. Brenda. We also want to thank the wonderful first responders serving Winchester, TN, the staff of Life Force and Erlanger Medical Center Emergency Department and Hospice of Chattanooga for their professionalism and efficiency in helping us through a difficult time and allowing us to have our patriarch at home for his transition. The family has requested a private burial. Donations may be made to a program of your local church, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or your local American Legion Post. Visitation will be 12:00pm until 3:00pm Sunday, September 11, 2022 at the Fort Oglethorpe Chapel of Wilson Funeral Home. Funeral Service with Military Honors will follow at 3:00pm in the funeral home Chapel. Pastor Dane Deatherage officiating. The burial will be private. Arrangement entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home Fort Oglethorpe Chapel. 555 W. Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742. (706)866-5555 Online guestbook at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com

William Franklin Ray Sr.

February 12, 1925 - September 4, 2022