Roderick Ray Williams passed away Thursday, August 11, 2016. He was born in Wilson, NC to the late Roger L. Williams and Ila Bridgers Williams on February 5, 1937. He graduated from Charles L. Coon High School in Wilson in 1955. He joined the Army after graduation and served at Fort Bragg and Stuttgart, Germany. He was a member of the US Army Band.
Ray worked in the trucking industry for twenty years, with Southeastern Diesel for ten years and retired from White Oil Company after thirteen years. He was co-owner of J+R Candy Co. and Wilson Candy Co. He served as President of the New Hope Wilders Grove Exchange Club, Eastern NC Traffic Club and Triangle Traffic Association. He was a charter member and secretary of the Delta Nu Alpha Transportation Fraternity, Raleigh Chapter. Ray was inducted into the Order of the Arrow with the Boy Scouts of America. He was also a member of the Lions Club. He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church.
Ray enjoyed sports, especially golf and auto racing. He made countless friends over the years, and always had a joke to share. He was especially fond of the Friday Night Five and the Birthday Group.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Horne Williams; sons, Rodney of Swansboro, Robert (Tish) of Wake Forest, Chris (Molly) of Garner; daughter, Hope of Raleigh; grandchildren, Brandie (Evan), Hunter, Brittany, Garrett, Beth; great-granddaughter, Teegan; siblings, Faye Mercer of Elm City and Melvin Barnes (Wendy) of Buckhorn; nieces, Melissa, Crystal and Jenna and nephews, Mike and Jason.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transitions Lifecare of Wake County.
A celebration of life will be held with visitation at 3:00 pm and worship at 4:15 pm on Monday, August 15, 2016 at St. James United Methodist Church 3808 St. James Church Road Raleigh, NC 27604.