Wendell E. Ray

WEAVERVILLE– Wendell E. Ray, age 78, of Weaverville went to be with the Lord Saturday, January 12, 2019.

Wendell was born July 14, 1940 in Madison County to the late Howard B. and Frances Ballard Ray; he was a resident of Buncombe County since he was a young man. A veteran of the U.S. Marines, he served from 1957 to 1960 and was a retired master carpenter.  Wendell was a member and former Deacon at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife of almost 59 years, Barbara Maxwell Ray; daughter, Wendy English and husband Rick of Weaverville; sons, Victor Ray and wife Wendy of Yorktown, VA and Danny Ray of Weaverville; sister, Sandy Fender and husband Carson; brothers, Harlon Ray and wife Judy, Marvin Ray, Richard Ray and wife Wanda and Michael Ray and wife Ann; grandchildren, Jenny (Jonathon), Lynn (Adam), Austin and Riley; and great granddaughter, Jessica.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Rev. Keith Watkins and Rev. Jason Cox will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Marshall.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville.

At other times the family will be at the residence.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Building Fund, 754 Aiken Road, Asheville, NC 28804.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Ray’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.