Billy D. Ray

	Billy D. Ray, 78, of Marion, formerly of Christopher, passed away at 4:27 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
	Mr. Ray had been a Coal Miner at Freeman 3 in Waltonville for 38 years and was Caretaker at the Izaak Walton Club for 13 years.  He was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, the American Legion in Zeigler, VFW in Marion and the UMWA.
	Mr. Ray was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II.
	He was born June 27, 1924 in Christopher, the son of Charles and Wanda (Silkwood) Ray.  He married Lillian L. Jones and she survives.
	Also surviving are children, Beverly and Rodney Flack of Zeigler, Barbara and Mike Rolla of Christopher, Roger Lee and Martina Ray of Shilo and Betsy and Darrell Hurley of Marion; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and five siblings, Arthur Ray of Du Quoin, Charles Ray of Peoria, Pat Hubner of Glenview, Betty Overturf of Centralia and Linda Fornear of Sesser.
	He was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandchild.
	Funeral services were Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher with Father Steven Poole officiating.  Mr. Ray wished to be cremated; there was no burial.
	Friends called at Gilbert Funeral Home on Thursday, May 22 after 6 p.m.
	
