Dr. William K. Ray, 88, of Columbia, died on Sunday, Nov. 30 2014 at his home in Columbia.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home at Grant City. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Family and friends may gather at the Baptist Church for lunch preceding service.
There will be no Columbia service at his request.
Dr. Ray was born on April 20, 1926 in Grant City, the son of Benjamin J. and Hazel Killingsworth Ray. He was a graduate of Grant City High School and served two years in the Army Air Force.
He was married on Oct. 19, 1946 to Mary H. McKim in Kansas City.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, OK. He returned to Missouri with his family and he started teaching at Guildford High School in Nodaway County. He continued his studies at the University of Missouri in the summertime, receiving a master’s degree in education in 1958 and later his doctorate degree in 1973.
He served the South Nodaway R-4 School District for 15 years with one year as principal at Maysville, He served as superintendent of schools and president of Trenton Junior College. (now North Central Missouri College) from 1966 to 1975 and initiated the ADN degree and agribusiness degree.
He was employed as assistant executive secretary of the Missouri State Teacher’s Association from 1975 to 1982. He was employed as president and executive officer of the Association of Community and Junior Colleges from 1982 to 1988. He was a consultant for Moberly Area Junior College.
In a volunteer capacity he was nursing home ombudsman, RSVP for seniors, buddy packs for an elementary school, Boys and Girls clubs and University Medical School in their Problem Based Learning program 1996-2001. He was recognized as a pioneer in education by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The University of Missouri Alumni Association presented Dr. Ray its Citation of Merit for Outstanding Achievement and Service to education in 1989.
He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife, Mary; his sister, Beverly Cadle of Grant City; children, William C. and Laurie of Raymore, Randolph D. of Orlando, FL Michael D. of Jacksonville, FL and Timothy C. and Tina of Parkville; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Peggy Janssen-McKee.
He leaves countless friends of the education community and cherished family of Memorial Baptist Church.
Contributions can be made to the William and Mary Ray Scholarship fund at South Nodaway R-4 School, 209 Morehouse, Barnard, MO. 64423-8201.
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