Robert "Bill" William Ray

Robert William "Bill" Ray, 64, of Crossett gained his wings peacefully on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at the Baptist Health Center in Little Rock.  Bill was born on June 24, 1953, to Clifford "Dean" and Carolyn Ray.  He was a lifelong resident of Crossett and a member of First Baptist Church.  He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Lonnie Sr. and Louise Ray; maternal grandparents, George and Geneva Emory; his father, Clifford Dean Ray; and one sister, Lynn Ray Courtney.

In his prime, Bill was a stellar athlete who set and surpassed the bar in everything he did, a trait he proudly passed on to his youngest daughter, Katy, and his grandsons.  Besides his lovely wife, Kim, fishing, was Bill's passion which he especially enjoyed sharing with his eldest daughter, Carrie, and granddaughter, Kinsley.

Bill was blessed with many lifelong friends, known by most as "Willie Ray" and always ready with a story, and much to his delight, sparing no embarrassing details.  His most cherished role, by far, was that of "Big Daddy" and his grandkids were the apple of his eye.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Kim Miller Ray; and two daughters, Carrie McCormick and Katy Morgan and husband, Matt, all of Crossett; four grandsons, Kason Emory Brooks, Cameron William Muirhead, Blake Allen Morgan, and Maddox Ray Morgan; one granddaughter, Kinsley Ann "Lulu" Jenkins; his mother, Carolyn Emory Ray of Crossett; two sisters, Fran Blankenship and husband, Johnny, also of Crossett, and Pamela Oliver and husband, David, of Hot Springs; along with a host of R.E.A.L. family members, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 8th at First Baptist Church of Crossett, 701 Main St., with Pastor Jamie Staley officiating, followed by an interment at Lakewood Cemetery under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.  Pallbearers are Matt Morgan, Kason Brooks, Cameron Muirhead, Blake Morgan, Johnny Blankenship, and David Oliver.  Honorary pallbearers are Maddox Morgan, Kinsley Jenkins, the Allen/Richardson Sunday School Class, Johnny Ray Swan, Bobby Miller, Don Pistole, David Grider, Robinson/Larko/Pioneer Construction, Scott Clark, Jason Blankenship, Brad Courtney, Josh Blankenship, and Will Oliver.

Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 p.m., Tuesday before the service at First Baptist Church.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the ACMC Home Health, Davita Dialysis Center, ACMC ER Dr. Nash, Baptist Medical Center ER/ICU South, the Crossett Ambulance Service, and Dr. Barry Thompson's office.

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