Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Name“Bill” William Monroe RAY 
3, William “Bill” Monroe Ray,404, North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000," (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7HVX-2T3Z : 24 October 2019), Charles M Ray in entry for William M Ray, 4 Aug 1933; citing Birth, NC
3, William “Bill” Monroe Ray,404, North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000," (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7HVX-2T3Z : 24 October 2019), Charles M Ray in entry for William M Ray, 4 Aug 1933; citing Birth, NCBirthAug 4, 1933, Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina3, William “Bill” Monroe Ray,404, North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000," (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7HVX-2T3Z : 24 October 2019), Charles M Ray in entry for William M Ray, 4 Aug 1933; citing Birth, NC
DeathApr 15, 2020, High Point, Guilford County, North Carolina3, William “Bill” Monroe Ray
FatherCharles Monroe RAY (1907-2001)
MotherSilvia Gaynell WRIGHT (1915-2001)
Obituary Online notes for “Bill” William Monroe RAY
4/17/2020
William “Bill” Monroe Ray
HIGH POINT – William “Bill” Monroe Ray, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Hospice Home at High Point.
Bill was born in Greensboro, NC on August 4, 1933 to the late Charles Monroe Ray and Gaynell Wright Ray. Bill grew up in Burlington, NC where he graduated from Walter M. Williams High School. He went on to attend Elon College where he studied Business Administration. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a cryptologist and in the Air Force Reserves. After returning to Burlington, he was employed with Burlington Daily Times News before joining Belk Beck Company. In 1969, he and his family moved to High Point where he oversaw the opening of the new Westchester Mall Belk Beck Department Store. Bill worked in management for over 30 years retiring in 1995. He enjoyed mentoring the students in the DECA program at the local High Schools. He served his church as a Sunday School teacher, head of the Ushers Guild and as a Deacon. At the time of his death, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church of High Point. Bill often spent his days gardening and taking long walks on the beach or in his neighborhood where he would always smile or speak to everyone along the way. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family and close friends. He was adored and loved by all that knew him, for his kind and friendly nature.
Those who will cherish Bill’s memories the most are his wife of 57 years, Marie Beck Ray; children, Charles Beck Ray, William Mark Ray and Leigh Ray Wetherington and her husband, John; daughterin-law Diane Lynk Ray; grandchildren, William Lynk Ray, Holden Beck Ray, Chandler Akin White, John Bradley Wetherington, David Ray Wetherington, Anna Leigh Wetherington and Carson Beck Ray.
Our family wishes to thank our friends for their love, their concern and kindness during Bill’s illness the past two years. We express our gratitude to the staff of Hospice, especially our “angel” Joy and to Lester Rorie for his loving care of our husband, dad and Paw Paw.
A private inurnment will be held and a public memorial service will be announced at a later date.
The family request memorial donations be made to either, First Presbyterian Church, 918 N. Main Street, High Point, North Carolina 27262 or to: Hospice Home at High Point, 1803 Westchester Drive, High Point, North Carolina 27262.
“Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.”
Share your condolences with the family at www.cumbyfuneral.com.Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is serving the family. 3, William “Bill” Monroe Ray
William “Bill” Monroe Ray
HIGH POINT – William “Bill” Monroe Ray, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Hospice Home at High Point.
Bill was born in Greensboro, NC on August 4, 1933 to the late Charles Monroe Ray and Gaynell Wright Ray. Bill grew up in Burlington, NC where he graduated from Walter M. Williams High School. He went on to attend Elon College where he studied Business Administration. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a cryptologist and in the Air Force Reserves. After returning to Burlington, he was employed with Burlington Daily Times News before joining Belk Beck Company. In 1969, he and his family moved to High Point where he oversaw the opening of the new Westchester Mall Belk Beck Department Store. Bill worked in management for over 30 years retiring in 1995. He enjoyed mentoring the students in the DECA program at the local High Schools. He served his church as a Sunday School teacher, head of the Ushers Guild and as a Deacon. At the time of his death, he was a member of First Presbyterian Church of High Point. Bill often spent his days gardening and taking long walks on the beach or in his neighborhood where he would always smile or speak to everyone along the way. His favorite pastime was spending time with his family and close friends. He was adored and loved by all that knew him, for his kind and friendly nature.
Those who will cherish Bill’s memories the most are his wife of 57 years, Marie Beck Ray; children, Charles Beck Ray, William Mark Ray and Leigh Ray Wetherington and her husband, John; daughterin-law Diane Lynk Ray; grandchildren, William Lynk Ray, Holden Beck Ray, Chandler Akin White, John Bradley Wetherington, David Ray Wetherington, Anna Leigh Wetherington and Carson Beck Ray.
Our family wishes to thank our friends for their love, their concern and kindness during Bill’s illness the past two years. We express our gratitude to the staff of Hospice, especially our “angel” Joy and to Lester Rorie for his loving care of our husband, dad and Paw Paw.
A private inurnment will be held and a public memorial service will be announced at a later date.
The family request memorial donations be made to either, First Presbyterian Church, 918 N. Main Street, High Point, North Carolina 27262 or to: Hospice Home at High Point, 1803 Westchester Drive, High Point, North Carolina 27262.
“Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.”
Share your condolences with the family at www.cumbyfuneral.com.Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is serving the family. 3, William “Bill” Monroe Ray