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Billy Ray was born 68 years ago in Minco, Oklahoma to a wonderful mother and father, Lena and Marvin.
He will be laid to rest on Friday, December19, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park following a lengthy struggle with liver cancer.
Billy Ray is survived by the following family members; four children, Marty, Dennis, Bruce, Sissy and their families; two brothers, Pete and David, Joanie; mother-in-law, Sarah; five grandchildren Justin, Brandon, Christina, Lisa, and Mitchell; three great grandchildren and hundreds of longtime friends.
Billy Ray, his parents and 4 brothers were a part of the westward migration into the Golden State in the late 1940s. The family spent some time in the Arvin area and eventually planted the family roots in the Porterville area.
The hardships of life in the 30's and 40's in conjunction with a wholesome upbringing helped to build the foundation for this generous and hardworking young man.
A 1953 graduate of Porterville High School, Billy Ray married his high school sweetheart Joanie in 1955. This was also during the time when Billy Ray began his long and very successful career as a Bricklayer following in his father's footsteps. Many experts still say that Billy Ray was one of the most creative stone masons in the area.
Billy Ray's career and his young family grew rapidly as they moved to Bakersfield in 1961. All of the children attended the Edison, Foothill school systems into the 1970s.
Billy Ray was a very popular Cub Scout Master, generously participated in the Boy Scouts, and was a successful little league coach in the Fairfax Baseball Association.
Billy Ray was very proud of a couple of special construction projects for Buck Owens and for Merle Haggard. He also worked on key construction projects that spurred rapid growth in the southwest and northeast Bakersfield throughout the 70's and 80's.
A career decision for Billy Ray in the early 1980s resulted in lucrative construction positions for US Borax. He resided in North Edward's throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Following a construction site accident in the early 1990s Billy Ray continued spreading his talent and artistry doing small projects for family and friends.
Bill Ray recently reunited his spirituality and continued to strengthen his love for God by playing his guitar at New Beginnings and Edison1st Baptist Church. Love for his parents, dedication to his children and family, an avid coin collector, passion for C/W music and constant hard work defines Billy Ray's short 68 year life as our hero. Daddy, we love you and we will miss you.
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