E. J. Ray, Jr

E. J. Ray, Jr.of Waco died Wednesday, October 5, 2005, at the age of 83. He was born July 25, 1922 at Dew, Texas in Freestone County to Elmer James and Rosie Vaughan Ray. At the age of 5, he moved to Hamilton County and graduated from Carlton High School. He was a veteran of World War II, a commissioned officer, and a company commander in the 4th Marine Infantry Division serving in the South Pacific. After the war, received a Bachelor Degree from Southwestern University and a Masters Degree from Sam Houston State University. He entered the teaching profession in 1947 serving as a high school principal and basketball coach. In his 16 years of coaching, he won 11 district championships and played in the state championship twice. His teams produced 4 All-State basketball players and 17 players received college scholarships. During this time, he was one of the top 5 coaches in Texas in terms of wins-losses. In 1963, he entered the convenience store business in Hillsboro and Corsicana and owned Ray's Drive-In. From 1974 to 1986, he was owner and operator of Ray's Dairy Inn Restaurant. While living in Hillsboro, he was active from many years in public service work for his community. He served as mayor from 1970-1975. He later served as Chairman of the Hillsboro Hospital Authority Board, Vice-chairman of the Hillsboro Charter Commission, President of the Hillsboro Church Welfare Association, served on the Blue Ribbon Commission for Hill Regional Hospital, and the Hillsboro School District Committee for the re-alignment of the voting boundaries. He loved his community and worked to make it better. He was a member of Walnut Street Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years and also served as Treasurer of the church. Survivors include his three children, Johnny Ray and wife, Linea, of Hallsville, Shelia Wilson and husband, Steve, of Hillsboro, and Sharon Powell and husband, Larry, also of Hillsboro; six grandchildren, Jeff Powell, Jamie Ray Eisenhuth, Shelby Powell Cook, Stephanie Wilson Johnson, Lincee Ray, and Johnny wilson and their families. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 101 Summit Ave., Suite 300, Fort Worth, TX 76102.