William B Ray's Obituary
William B. Ray of Eustis, Florida passed away on Sunday January 15, 2023 at the age of 80. He was born on August 7, 1942 to his parents Orval and Josephine Ray.
Bill was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan in the Forties. His dad taught him to be tough and self-sufficient and Bill passed that along to his children and grandchildren. He himself had a rough childhood, but he persevered and entered the Air Force after high school. He had dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, and attended Michigan State for a short time, but the military got him first.
When he and Susie met, he had not been exposed to Church or prayer as a child and soon realized the importance of faith. He attended RCIA and became a Catholic. They were married on Feb. 10th, 1968 and would have celebrated their 55th Anniversary this year. Over the years he never forgot that date, and he never forgot prayer. After all his brain surgeries, Fr. Robert came for several visits to the hospital, and would say prayers and bless him. He was mostly groggy, but never missed an opportunity to say the Our Father with Fr. Robert. With all the risks of memory loss, his faith carried him through.
He and Susie raised 3 children, Bill Ray, Jr. (Nancy), Tasha Fusek (John) and Heather Ryan (deceased, Tim). He was also blessed with 6 grandchildren, Zach Ray (Samantha), Maddi Neary (Aaron), Haylee Ellis (Nigel), Slader Ray, Cameron Moffis (Rachel), and Holden Ray. And doubly blessed with 3 great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Quinn and Maverick.
He was self-employed most of his adult life. He began with a lawn maintenance company, which turned into a landscaping business for several years, which led to a wholesale foliage nursery for many years. For the last 23 years he owned a wholesale hardware business. He was always so strong and independent, and encouraged all his children and grandchildren to follow.
They have fond and funny memories, from him teaching the girls to drive, how to change their truck tires, go hunting with him, the occasional shrimping trips filled with laughter, roller skating every Saturday, attending all their track and field events, their volleyball games, to the grandchildren helping him fill hardware orders, and going to deliver because he would always stop at McDonalds afterward and get them a treat, to riding the 4 wheeler to feed apples to the horses in the pasture.
As the grandchildren grew, they were so excited to have Grampa take them fishing, and he was so proud to applaud their first catch, to help them build a duck coop, to attend their football and volleyball games beaming with pride. It's life at its best to watch your children graduate high school, then college and become beautiful, loving adults. Then when the grandchildren did all that, he felt all the blessings were multiplied.
He loved animals, so there was always a menagerie of dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, cows and horses around the farm. All the children learned early on how to respect and care for all kinds of pets, feed and ride the horses, feed the cows, teach the dogs to fetch. The grandkids would help him pick fruit in the grove and help get boxes ready for shipping. He so loved their help and wanted them around all the time. They brought so much joy and smiles and always, always teaching moments.
He was not only a hard worker, but an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved the outdoors and had so many wonderful memories with all his hunting and fishing buddies over the years. He was a golfer, a bowler and an archer and excelled in whatever he did. He felt if you are going to participate in anything, do it well and with gusto. His life was full, and busy, but providing for family was always the most important job.
The family moved twice after the children were born, first to Oviedo to a pine tree filled property, where he cleared trees, brought in power and put down a well... and built a huge barn and homestead where the children spent their growing up years, and that was quite an adventure.
They then moved to Lake County, more acres of trees to clear, power to bring in etc. and he built a beautiful home that all have enjoyed for the last 20 years. Everything he did was in planning for retirement, for Susie and the children and grandchildren's futures.... leaving a legacy.
He loved coming home each day and upon entering the house, he would sigh and say how happy he was to be HOME!!!! It’s not the same without him here, but his presence is felt in every room. Bill Ray was a good man, a gentleman, a loving husband, Daddy and Grampa, a brother, uncle and cousin to many, and he will be so missed. God is now blessing him in Heaven, and I'm certain that Bill sighed and said how happy he was to be HOME!!!!
Mass of the Resurrection is scheduled for Friday, February 10th at 9:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Dora.
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