William Valton Ray

Mr. William Valton “W.V.” Ray, age 95, passed away on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Gilmer Care Center. W.V. was born in Gilmer on Valentine’s Day in 1925, to the late Willie and Ruth (White) Ray. He was part of the 2nd graduating class from Harmony High School and went on to serve stateside in the U.S. Navy. He went to work for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in 1952, retiring in 1980 to serve as Justice of the Peace in Upshur County from 1980 until his retirement on December 31, 2014. He was a former member and past president of the Gilmer Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Enon Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his 1st wife, Dorothy (Alexander) Ray on May 30, 1982; and youngest son, Garry Ray in 2007.

He is survived by his 2nd wife, Brenda (Gaston) Ray of Gilmer; son, Darrell Ray and wife Zina of Gilmer; daughter, Barbara Ray of Longview; brother, Glenn Dale “Buck” Ray of Gilmer; step-daughter, Natalie Pitt and husband Ty; four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Enon Baptist Church, Bro. Ray Thompson officiating; visitation will be one hour before the service beginning at 1:00 PM at the church. Interment will follow at the Enon Cemetery; with Chris Moore, Blake Brown, Lyle Potter, Milton Wylie, Danny Murphy, and Shawn Ray serving as pallbearers, honorary pallbearers are Jim Hayes and Anthony Betterton.