William Franklin “Bill” Ray

October 2, 2023

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William Franklin “Bill” Ray, 88, of Frankfort, Indiana, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2023 surrounded by his loving family at Witham Health Services in Lebanon.  He was born on May 3, 1935 in Lee County, Virginia, to Willie and Nancy Jane (Pillion) Ray.  He was a member of Faith Family Ministries.  He married Lulu Bell Linson on April 5, 1957 in Frankfort, Indiana.  They met on a blind date and were a true love story being married for 66 1/2 years and together for 70.

Bill attended school in Rose Hill, Virginia, and moved to Frankfort when he was 17.  He served in the United States Army. He was a mechanic at the National Cigar Factory in Frankfort for 38 years, retiring in 1997.  As part owner of Bill & Dave’s Used Furniture in Frankfort, he loved collecting antiques and refinishing furniture.  His willingness to help everyone who walked through the door showed his true character.

It is difficult to say farewell, and we will always remain thankful for his patience, guidance and the love he passed on to us all.  We will remember his special smile, humble and caring heart, and the warm embrace he gave us and his comforting words “It’ll be ok”.  The love he showed will be carried on through our children and grandchildren and he will always hold a special place in our lives. He was the patriarch of the family shaping and guiding us through thick and thin while filling our lives full of memories. His greatest joy will always be his family.

Memorial donations may be made to Faith Family Ministries or Riley Hospital for Children.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 4-8 p.m. at Goodwin Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, October 6th at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Russiaville Cemetery. 

Survived by:

Surviving with Lou, his wife of 66 1/2 years are his daughters, Cindy (Jerry) Kelly, Linda (Marc) Wann, and Brenda (Mitch) Laughner all of Frankfort.  He was a grandfather to 7 grandchildren:  Brandon (Jaime) Kelly, Jarrid Allan Kelly, Ben (Morgan) Kelly, Colton (Katie) McKinney, Kristin (Brittain) O’Neal, Matilyne (Gabe Buschman) Laughner, Lane (Shelby) Laughner and also 11 great-grandchildren: Ava, Braxton, and Lea Kelly, Beck and Belle Kelly, Steve, Blake, Westen, and Emberlynn McKinney, and Halle and Jett O’Neal.  Bill also had countless friends whom he treasured.  

Preceded by:

He was preceded in death by his parents, precious grandson Jarrid Allan Kelly, son-in-law Steve McKinney, 3 brothers, Kenneth Ray, Claude Ray and Roy Lee Ray, younger brother Crumley and infant sister Betty. 

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

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22 Condolences for “William Franklin “Bill” Ray”

  1. Nancy Mosson October 4, 2023 at 12:38 pm

    So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Bruce spoke often of Bill’s friendship and the joy of being his neighbor. Lou I know how much you loved Bill and he loved you in return. This is never easy, but he is with God now and Bruce will be there to welcome him. I’m sending my love to you Lou, and my prayer is for your comfort

    Reply
  2. Dan Linson October 4, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    So sorry for this time of sorrow for your loss. We are praying that you find peace in the coming days.
    Dan and Beth Linson and family
    and Jerry and Ingrid Mundell and family

    Reply
  3. Ken Walters October 4, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    Bill has been in my life since before I was born. He and my dad were such great friends and he loved all of us, we loved him! Every time I got to see him, he would say, “Now doggonit Kenny, I mean it! You come by and visit.” It wasn’t as often as I would have liked but it was wonderful every time!
    I could never recount all of the memories here, maybe not anywhere but I can say that there was always love and kindness that I know the Lord gave to Bill and he passed on to everyone else. Lou, Cindy, Linda, Brenda and the whole family, God bless you and comfort you knowing that heaven has claimed one who belongs to Jesus!

    Reply
  4. Terry Flood October 4, 2023 at 4:10 pm

    I have Known Bill ever since I worked at the Cigar Factory and have concidered him my Friend he will be Missed by many rest in peace my friend

    Reply
  5. Loren and Dee Myer October 4, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    Our love to Lou and the girls. Bill was my friend and mentor, and his loss is profound. Thank you for everything, Bill.

    Reply
  6. Martha Pillion Roach October 4, 2023 at 5:03 pm

    To all the family I am so sorry for your loss, you are all in my prayers. He was a very kind man, mom and dad thought a lot of him.

    Reply
  7. Buffy Smith October 4, 2023 at 5:37 pm

    Sorry to hear of your dads passing. Prayers for your entire family.

    Reply
  8. Jim and Pam Goss October 4, 2023 at 6:40 pm

    Linda so sorry for your loss. Hope you and your family find peace and comfort in each other at this difficult time.

    Reply
  9. Greg Miller October 5, 2023 at 12:27 am

    Lou, Cindy, Linda, Brenda and family, I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. What a great guy and a true friend. Bill would always greet you with a big smile and a handshake. What a real example of a truly honest, caring and hard working man. Bill will be missed by so many and left me and others with many good memories. May God bring you comfort in the days ahead.

    Reply
  10. Jamie Perkins October 5, 2023 at 3:18 am

    I am so sorry to hear about Bill. I was neighbors many many years ago. This family was picture perfect in my eyes back then. His girls were so sweet which portrayed a lovely example of parenting. The video made me tear up. God bless this family.

    Reply
  11. Cindy Cacy October 5, 2023 at 6:39 am

    Bill was such a special man and will be kindly remembered by all who knew him. He truly made this earthly world a better place. He always had the warmest smile and biggest heart. He will be sadly missed.
    Bob and Cindy Cacy

    Reply
  12. Rusty Parker October 5, 2023 at 2:37 pm

    Brenda and Mitch,
    So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We spent a lot of time learning from him at the store and worshiping with him at “Faith”. May God grant you peace and comfort during this time. Y’all are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Rusty and Tammy Parker

    Reply
  13. David Linson October 5, 2023 at 4:55 pm

    Lou, Cindy, Linda, and Brenda,
    Although I haven’t seen you all in several years, Bill’s impact on me personally has been tremendous. His kind and thoughtful demeanor set the tone for your entire family and I always walked away from our extended family events longing for more of what Bill had. I will never forget being at the auction of Chester and Florence’s estate and expressing to Bill my desire to have one of Chester’s pocket knives to remember him by. I was just a kid at the time and didn’t have the knowledge or where-with-all to bid on anything so I just let it go with some disappointment. A few years later I saw Bill and he walked up with the biggest smile and handed me an old Barlow knife of Chester’s. The fact that he remembered me and my desire to have an old knife of Chester’s meant more to me than even having the knife. Whenever I pick up that old Barlow knife now I not only think of Chester, I think of Bill and his kindness to me. He was quite the man. I will forever cherish how he treated me and do my best to emulate him the best I can. I am sorry I can’t be there. You all are in my prayers this week.

    David Linson

    Reply
  14. Garry Fisher October 5, 2023 at 6:06 pm

    Cindy and Jerry, and the rest of the family, I used to always stop to see his store, and after moving to Noblesville, I’d run into him at Strawtown once in while. my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time

    Reply
  15. Erilda & Ron Coleman October 5, 2023 at 8:18 pm

    Dearest Family,
    So very sorry for your loss. He was such a dedicated, loving Husband, Father, Grand-father, to his family and loved by his many friends. He will definitely be missed. Although it is hard to let go but what joy it is to know he is resting in the arms of his sweet Heavenly Father. His last breath on earth was his first breath in heaven. What a great reunion awaits us all when we all see Jesus. Prayers of comfort and peace going heavenward. God Bless – Ron & Erilda – Foley, AL

    Reply
  16. Anita Albaugh October 5, 2023 at 8:27 pm

    We are praying for your family.

    Reply
  17. Don and Debbie Baker October 5, 2023 at 11:48 pm

    Dear Lou and family,
    We are so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by so many people. He was a very caring and kindhearted man. Please know that we will pray for strength and comfort for you all.

    Reply
  18. Brian Heimbach October 6, 2023 at 9:17 am

    There are no words in any language to describe how special this man was. They don’t make them like this very often. Peace to you Linda and all of your family. Thinking and praying as you guys take your next steps. Love, Brian

    Reply
  19. John Hobaugh October 6, 2023 at 9:40 pm

    Bill will be greatly missed. I wish I could have made the viewing. The morning McDonalds group wont be the same without him. It was too early for him to go. We appreciated his work on our chairs. I’m glad to have had the time to spend with him. I pray for comfort and peace for the whole family.

    Reply
  20. Ron & Mary Shackelferd October 7, 2023 at 11:46 am

    Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family. I remember Bill getting my father’s knife from me. Glad he could enjoy it.

    Reply
  21. Robert Grafton October 8, 2023 at 9:19 pm

    Very sad to hear about Bill’s passing. As a kid, I always enjoyed going to the antique store and looking around. He seemed to have a story about every item in the store. I also enjoyed talking old coins and currency with him in the garage across from the high school. He set the bar pretty high for all of us young men (at the time) on what it meant to be a man. Great role model. My condolences to the family.

    Reply
  22. Jacque Douglas October 14, 2023 at 7:37 pm

    My sincerest condolences to all of Bill’s family. May many wonderful memories bring you peace and comfort.

    Jacque Douglas

    Reply

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