Obituary of William Calvin Ray

Obituary for William Calvin Ray William Calvin Ray, 90, of Cedar Grove, NC, passed away on October 11, 2017. He was born in Red Springs, NC on April 22, 1927 and grew up in Pender County. Bill moved to Orange County in 1948 to work as a fixer in Efland Hosiery Mill. He started dairy farming in 1954 and founded Eno River Farm in 1964 where he raised registered Angus and Hereford cattle, as well as tobacco, corn, and soybeans. Bill was passionate about farming, hunting, and serving his country and his community. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and in the army during the Korean War. He was elected and served for eight years as an Orange County Commissioner. He served as a member of the Cedar Grove Ruritan Club for 48 years including two terms as president. He was a Trustee for Cedar Grove UMC, a member of Schley Grange, American Legion Post 452, and an elite branch of the American Legion 40-8. He was a founding member of the Orange County Medical Foundation and served as its first president. Bill was a leader in the Orange-Durham Cattlemen's Association where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for 40 years of innovation in beef cattle genetics. At one time, he was the second largest Angus breeder in North Carolina. Bill served in leadership roles in many other civic groups and commissions and was recognized by the North Carolina House of Representatives for his service. Bill was very proud of his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Jessie Nichols Ray, his three children, Cynthia Ray Barlow (Gary) of Fernandina Beach, FL, Robert Ray of Jefferson, NC, and Kenneth Ray (Sandra) of Cedar Grove, NC. He is also survived by his sister, Earlene Bass Baker, of Fayetteville, NC, his four granddaughters and grandson-in-law, Allison and Mike Mabrey, Caroline Barlow, Ashley Reynolds, and Courtney Ray, as well as three great granddaughters, Emma, Lily, and Amelia Mabrey and cherished sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin S. and Janie M. Ray of Penderlea, and his sister, Rebecca Knowles of Raleigh, NC. Services for Mr. Ray will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, at Cedar Grove United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family welcomes visitation after the service in the church fellowship hall. The Ray family is under the care of Walker's Funeral Service in Hillsborough, NC.