Billy Derrell Ray, of Sheridan, Arkansas was born November 9, 1936, in El Dorado
Arkansas, the son of the late Ernest and Ola Mae (Welch) Ray. Billy passed away,
at Southern Trace Rehabilitation in Bryant, surrounded by his family, on June 24,
2025 at the age of 88.
He was a graduate of Mt. Holly High School in El Dorado where he grew up and
later joined the AIR FORCE and served his country overseas in Germany. He was a
former employee of A.P. & L. Electric Company (Entergy). While working for
Entergy, he loaded up his family and moved to Russellville where he was involved
in the building project of Nuclear One. After that project was complete, they
started on the White Bluff Plant in Redfield, so he moved his family to the Herbine
Community, south of Rison, where he would later retire from Entergy and began
his side hustle of buying and selling anything. He was a commercial fisherman for
lots of years and would go around the community selling fish to the locals. On
their farm in Herbine, they raised cattle and it was nothing for him to come home
from the horse auction with a load of Wild Mustangs or other horses for the kids
to break and ride, all the while sitting back laughing while watching the process.
He would also raise some of the biggest gardens of tomatoes that he would sell
down at Warren and Hermitage.
He married the love of his life, LaJuana Summerville, on November 9, 1965 in El
Dorado Arkansas. His family was always his top priority and that showed by his
love he gave to them all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest & Ola Mae Ray, Sister, Melba
Pierce, granddaughter Ashley Ray, his brother-in-law Duane Summerville and
sister-in-law Lou Summerville.
He is survived by his wife, Lajuana Ray, son D.J. Ray (Lisa) of Sheridan, daughter
Tina Crutchfield (Keith) of Sheridan, grandchildren Justin Ray and Kayla Keedy
(Karson). Great Grandchildren Blair Ray, Kurt Keedy, Maddox Mapili, and Klover
Rae Keedy. Brother-in-law Bob Summerville (Doretta) of El Dorado and lots of
nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

At his request there will be no services