Willie Lee Ray, Jr. was born in Jacksonville, FL on May 7, 1947 to his parents, Willie Lee Ray, Sr. and Rosezina Savage Ray. He confessed Christ at any early age uniting with Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where he was baptized by Rev. W. M. Hill. He attended schools in Duval County and received his formal education at Stanton Vocational High School, Class of 1965. He received an Associates of Arts degree at Griffin Business College in Seattle, WA and served in both the United States Air Force and United States Army.
Willie departed this life on Friday, February 28, 2020 and was predeceased in death by his, parents Willie Lee Ray, Sr. and Rosezina Savage Ray; son, Reggie English; and grandmother, Eliza Gervin Hardeman.
Willie leaves to mourn his passing by his wife, Tammy Ray; children, Kareen Candelario, Artiska Candelario, Elizabeth Candelario Ray, William Ray, Genae Jackson, Amari Ray, Tahara Gray (Darold), Josiah Ray (Courtney), Mailania Ray, and Chanaan Ray; sisters, Rebecca Ray Highsmith and Martha Ray Allen (Carlton); 19 grandchildren; nephews; nieces; and a host of cousins, other relatives, and many sorrowing friends, among them Sonveneta Mitchell and Benjamin Youngblood.
The funeral service for Willie Lee Ray Jr. will be held 11:00 am Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 at the King Solomon United Baptist Church 2240 Forest Street Jacksonville, FL 32204. The visitation will be 4:00 - 6:00 pm, Monday, March 9th, 2020 at the Funerals by T.S. Warden 4315 North Main Street Jacksonville, FL 32206. Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234