Billy Eugene Ray, Sr., age 83, a resident of East Prairie, Missouri, died Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at his home.

Born November 12, 1934, in Dorena, Missouri, to the late Ed and Tress Sutton Ray, he had been employed in farming, trucking industry, and also as a welder. He was a veteran of the United States Army and member of Victory Baptist Church in East Prairie.

On January 17, 1964, in East Prairie, he married Doris Faye Henderson, who preceded him in death on November 20, 2012.

Survivors include: two brothers, Charlie Ray and Bobby Ray, both of Kentucky; one sister, Gladys Love of Phoenix, Arizona; his grandchildren, Mandy Ray of Jackson, Missouri, Christina Ray and Cierra Franks of St. Louis, Missouri and Bethany Ray of Oklahoma; great grandchildren, Austin Ray and Sawyer Ray, both of Jackson and Lila Teague and Amelia Teague, both of Charleston, Missouri.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Billy E. Ray, Jr. and Kenny Ray; and six brothers, Blaine Ray, Ed "Man" Ray, Jr., Felix Ray, Bud Ray, Joe Ray and Merl Ray.

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until the funeral hour at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. Rev. Steve Johnson, pastor of Victory Baptist Church in East Prairie, will officiate.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the United States Army and the Missouri Military Honors Program at the Dogwood Cemetery with interment to follow under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Mike Ray, Dan Ray, Kelly Ray, Stephen Ray, Jerry Ray, John Dee Ray, Kevin Ray and Brian Ray.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.