William Clyde Ray
WATER VALLEY – William Clyde Ray, 93, died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at the Yalobusha General Hospital after a long illness. He was born Aug. 27, 1914, in Union County. He graduated from New Albany High School. He settled in Water Valley in 1951, where he operated Ray’s Department Store until 1981. He was a Rotarian for many years. He trained beagles and pointers. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Water Valley, where he was chairman of the administrative board. He was an avid outdoorsman and an avid fan of Water Valley High School football.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Water Valley. The Rev. Billy Ray Stonestreet will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. National Funeral Home of Grenada is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include one son, Eddie Ray (Pat) of Water Valley; one daughter, Jeanene Tucker of Tupelo; one grandson, Richard Tucker of Tupelo; two granddaughters, Wendy L. Tucker of Tupelo and Nancy Margaret Ray of Washington D.C.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Juanita Wilder Ray; his parents, J. Spence and Rudell Morris Ray; and three brothers, Owen Ray, J. Warren Ray and Le Roy Ray.
Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Water Valley.