William E. "Bill" Ray

William E. “Bill” Ray, age 83, of Grants Pass, died Sunday, July 29, 2012 at his home.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 4, 2012 at New Hope Bible Church with Pastor Lowell Stutzman officiating. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to New Hope Bible Church, 2600 New Hope Road, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527.

Bill was born January 14, 1929 in Beggs, Oklahoma to Elmer & Clemmie Ray. He grew up and spent his school years in different places in Oklahoma. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force. On July 3, 1948 in Golden, Colorado he married Melva Wells. In 1949 he moved from Colorado to Grants Pass, Oregon. For many years he worked at Custom Plywood until his retirement. At that time, he and his wife co-owned Dixon Green Valley Campers until 2005.

For many years he and his wife volunteered as 4-H leaders and together spent many years at the Josephine County Fair.

Bill was a member of New Hope Bible Church.

His hobbies included fishing, hunting, watching football and basketball, gardening, reading, and attending church. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. He was good hearted, loved the Lord and set a great example for his family.

Survivors include three sons, Rick Ray of Grants Pass, Oregon, Kevin Ray of Wilderville, Oregon, and Kim Ray Sr of Grants Pass, Oregon; a daughter, Janis Morgan of Wilderville, Oregon; two brothers, Floyd Ray of Vancouver, Washington and Bob Ray of Shalimar, Florida; ten grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, Melva Ray; he was preceded in death by his father, Elmer Ray; his mother, Clemmie Ray; three brothers, Roy Ray, Gene Ray and Jim Ray; and two sisters, Nellie Edmundson and Wanda Harvey.