William Lewis "Bill" Ray, age 76, of Arlington, Texas passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023.

Bill was born on May 7, 1946, in Dallas, Texas to William Burl and Dorothy Ray. Bill and his family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico in 1948.

Bill met the love of his life, Carolyn, in 1990 and they were married on August 18, 1991. He graduated from high school in 1964 in Hobbs, New Mexico. Bill, then, attended the University of Oklahoma on a football scholarship. After his time at the University of Oklahoma, he served in the Army starting in July of 1967 in the 39th Engineer Combat Battalion including a tour in Vietnam.

Bill lived a life of service including serving as President of the 39th Engineer Battalion (CBT) Alumni Association and as Commander of the American Legion Mansfield Texas Post 624 for many years making an impact on the lives of past, current and future veterans. During his time serving with the 39th Battalion and the American Legion, he helped to begin the Veterans Day Parade for the City of Mansfield. He also worked to re-start the Boys' State program in Mansfield ISD schools as well as working in partnership with the ROTC program in the schools in Mansfield.

Preceded in death by his parents, William Burl Ray and Dorothy Ray and brothers Doug and Bob Ray.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Ray, brother Richard "Dick" Ray, brother Jim Bailey and his wife Barbara, son Derek Ray and his wife Kimberly, son Jeff Ray, son Aaron Brown and his wife Angela, grandson Dakota Ray and his wife Hayley, grandson Paxton Ray and his wife Keeley, granddaughter Marina Brown, great granddaughter Adaley Ray, great grandson Coleman Ray and many others that came to know Bill as a father-figure and friend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the 39th Engineer Battalion (CBT) Alumni Association and the American Legion Mansfield Texas Post 624.