Extracted from The Leader-Call (Laurel, MS)
Wednesday, December 8, 1976

WILLIAM D. RAY SR.

ELLISVILLE, Miss. -- William Dolphus Ray Sr., 79, Waynesboro, and formerly of Ellisville, died early Wednesday morning in the Wayne County Hospital following an extended illness.

A member of West Ellisville Baptist Church, Ray was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 161 Ellisville, and was past master of Leaf River Masonic Lodge.

Ray was born in Georgia and moved to Jones County in 1933, retired in 1958 from Ingalls Shipyard and was a Marine Veteran of World War I.

Services will be held Thursday, at 2:30 p.m., from Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with the Revs. Robert J. Sanderson, E. J. Pitts and Herschel Bragg officiating. Masonic graveside services will be conducted at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mittie S. Ray, Moss Point; one son, William D. Ray Jr., Ellisville; and five daughters, Mrs. R. J. (Freddie Mae) Williams, Laurel; Mrs. Homer (Zelma) West, Whistler, Ala.; Mrs. Hilton (Mary Ann), Boykin, Waynesboro; Mrs. James (Virginia) White, DeKalb; and Mrs. Jack (Sybil) Williamson, Gulfport.

Other survivors include one step-daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Elizabeth) Martin, Moss Point; two sisters, Mrs. J. J. Liverett, Hattiesburg; Mrs. Mack Otwell, Heflin, Ala.; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.