James Billie (Bill)

Mr. James Billie (Bill) Ray of Calhoun, Georgia, died Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Survivors include two sons, J. Billie Ray, Jr. and his wife, Carol Blessing Ray of Osprey, Fl. and Highlands, N.C., and their children: grandson, Christopher James Ray and his wife Karen Rudt Ray of Lima, Peru and Osprey, Fl., and granddaughter, Leah McCallister (Calli) Ray of New York City. Son, Eddie Lewis Ray and his wife, Mary Gelewski Ray and their children, granddaughter, Sierra Dutton Ray and grandson, Duncan Pommer Ray all live in Columbus, Ga. Bill is survived by his sisters-in-law, Evie Watson of Adairsville, Ga., and Flora Nell Ray (Mrs. John W. Ray); many beloved nieces and nephews; and two very special friends who helped him as caregivers in the last few years, Mrs. Judy Thurman and Miss Hillary Munro. Bill was born in Gordon County on November 19, 1921. He was the last of eight children of the late James Lewis Ray and Lillie Mae Sutherland Ray, and was born just three minutes after his twin brother, John W. Ray. Bill had six other siblings: Lillie B. Ray, Woodrow (Toby) Ray, Francis Ray Lanier, Pearl Ray McEntyre, Louise Ray Orr, and Ruby Jo Ray McDonald, along with John, all now deceased. Bill grew up on the Ray family farm and lived most of his life on the family farmland in the New Zion Community. He graduated from Calhoun High School. As a young man he worked at Mt. Alto Mills, and later at Goodyear Aircraft Company in Akron, Ohio. Bill was a veteran, joining the U.S.M.C. on the Marine Corp birthday, Nov. 10, 1942, at Five Points, in Atlanta. He served with the Second Marine Division, and participated in the invasions of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa islands in the Pacific. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during his service. After his return from service in November, he and Floy married on December 21, 1945. Bill and his beloved wife, Floy Mae Dutton Ray, were married for 64 years before her death in March 2010. They traveled to many wonderful places in their retirement, often with Floy’s sister, Evie Watson. They lived almost all of their married life in Gordon County. Bill worked at Lockheed Aircraft Company in Marietta for thirty-two years until his retirement in 1984. He retired as a Senior Tool Engineer; the only non-college graduate to hold such a position with the Company. Through the years, Lockheed asked him to work on a number of special projects in California, West Virginia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Canada. Floy often accompanied him. Funeral services will begin with a family visitation receiving friends at 11:00 a.m. Saturday April 30, at the Chapel of the Thomas Funeral Home, and conclude with a 12:00 p.m. service at the Chapel with Dr. Bert Vaughn officiating. There will be no graveside service; interment will be at Fain Cemetery. The family requests no flowers; contributions, if desired, may be made to the First Baptist Church of Calhoun, or your favorite charity. You may record condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com. Thomas Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.