Bill Ray

Billy Gene Ray, age 83, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at his home in Brownsville, Tn. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM, at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home with Bro. Randy Kellough officiating. Burial will be at Mount Vernon Memorial Estates Cemetery in Lemont, IL at a later date. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.

Bill was born May 23, 1943 in Ripley, TN, to Eugene & Mary Evelyn Henson Ray. He was a 1961 graduate of Ripley High School. Bill was a Retired U.S. Army veteran, serving two tours in Vietnam & bases all over the U.S. & foreign countries. He earned the Bronze Star as well as many other awards & honors throughout his 29+ years of service. He was also a truck driver & ran a successful produce business in his later years. Bill had a reputation as an excellent cook, loved to entertain, dance, & could talk to anyone anytime. His father always said as a child he never met a stranger. He deeply loved his family & also enjoyed traveling & camping. Bill was a member of Woodland Baptist Church in Brownsville, Tn.

Bill is survived by his wife, Cynthia Tomlin Coulston Ray of Brownsville, TN; daughters, Sharon Somerville (Rob) of Dyersburg, TN, Shelly White (Bill) of Joliet, IL, and Shelia Ray of Clearwater, FL. Ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Robert Ray (Rhonda), and two sisters, Donna Kay Goforth of Dyersburg, TN and Connie Ray (Jim) of San Angelo, TX.

Preceding him in death were his parents, one son Toby Ray of Illinois, his first wife, Pamela Clark Ray of Illinois, two brothers, Larry Ray of Nesbit, MS and Danny Ray of Halls, TN.

Pallbearers for the service are Joshua Nicholson, Spencer Ray, Rob Somerville, Bill White, Tony Ray, Bobby Ray, Michael Goforth and Chuck Beasley.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Woodland Baptist Church Ramp Builders Fund, c/o Wilmot Bond, 37 Providence Rd., Denmark, TN 38391. All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.