Bill Ray, gone home.....

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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John LeMaster
Posts: 795
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: North Florida

Bill Ray, gone home.....

Post by John LeMaster »

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Bill Ray, the steel guitar builder and icon, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2009 in Jacksonville. He will be remembered for many things, especially his love for and knowledge of steel guitar.

Bill manufactured the Rayline pedal steel guitar. Many musicians and singers will look back fondly at the Saturday 'picking sessions' at Rayline world headquarters, adjacent to Bill's home.

I am glad that Bill was able to come to the March meeting of the North Florida Steel Guitar Club. What a treat it was to hear him get up on stage and him sing the Ernest Tubb hit "Half A Mind".

My prayers and condolences to his son David, his daughter Theresa, all the Ray family, and Bill's countless friends.

Rest in peace, my friend.
John L.
Last edited by John LeMaster on 3 May 2009 5:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Donna Dodd
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Location: Acworth, Georgia, USA

Post by Donna Dodd »

My deepest condolences go out to Mr. Ray's family and friends. May he rest in peace.

Donna Dodd
Donna Dodd
Georgia Steel Guitar Association (GaSGA) Board Member & Website Administrator
"Every person is a new door to a different world."
- from movie Six Degrees of Separation

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Ernest Cawby
Posts: 3716
Joined: 6 Aug 2003 12:01 am
Location: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Bill Ray

Post by Ernest Cawby »

Bill was a long time friend of mine a nd a finr grntlrman he was. He worked on my Professional back in 1992 and added knee levers. He was a Shobud repair center for many years. I have a picture of him singing the song with Chet Gibson at the club meeting John mentioned, will find and post it.

ernie
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Lonnie Portwood
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Location: Jacksonville, fl. USA

Post by Lonnie Portwood »

I knew Bill was ailing but I did'nt think the end would come so fast. Bill was a friend to every musician in this section of the country and beyond. I've enjoyed many Sat. afternoons pickin with Bill and the "boys" at "The World headquarters" music room. We will surely miss you PAL. Rest well on that mountain! Lonnie Portwood
Music is probably the most "spiritual of mankinds emotions, and when practised with a pure heart, can lead one into the presence of God, who invented it. Lonnie Portwood
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Rob Parker
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Joined: 17 Apr 2000 12:01 am
Location: Paducah, Kentucky, R.I.P.

Post by Rob Parker »

My thoughts and prayers for Mr Bill and his family..
I was priveleged to meet Mr Bill on some of my trips to the Florida shows.
He had a wealth of knowlege about pedal steels, and their operation, and music.
Thank you Mr Bill for your friendship. and information..
RP...'come on in'...
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John LeMaster
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: North Florida

Funeral arrangements for Bill Ray

Post by John LeMaster »

Funeral arrangements for Bill Ray are as follows:

The viewing will be Monday night from 6pm-8pm at the Green Pine Funeral Home in Yulee.
The funeral service will be Tuesday morning at 11:00am again at Green Pine Funeral Home in Yulee.
Burial will be at the National Cemetery off of Lannie Rd at 1:00PM

Directions to the funeral home from the Airport (I am assuming most everyone knows how to get to JIA)
I-95 North to exit 373 which is the Yulee A1A/SR200 exit. Head east on SR200 (right off of I-95) towards Fernandina Beach ~7 Miles
Turn left on Chester Rd (Home Depot will be on your left)
Go ~2 miles and turn right on Green Pine road. As soon as you make the right the funeral home will be on your left.
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Charley Adair
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Joined: 28 Feb 2005 1:01 am
Location: Maxwell, Texas, USA

Post by Charley Adair »

I only had one dealing with Bill Ray. I needed a part for my ShoBud ProII Custom. I traced it out, faxed it to him and he put it in the mail. I asked about prepayment, he replied, "You're a picker, I trust you. We stick together." I mailed a check, but never told him that I couldn't pick. A good man!!
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Russ Wever
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Joined: 16 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Kansas City

Post by Russ Wever »

Sorry to hear of Bills passing.
John, you might recall bringing
me over to and introducing me
to Bill.
That was prolly eight years ago.
God keep Bill and bless his family.
~Russ
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John LeMaster
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: North Florida

Post by John LeMaster »

Russ, yes indeed, I remember that we went to the Rayline shop and I introduced you to Mr. Bill. You sat down at the prototype steel guitar that he had built many years earlier. You made "Old Huldy" (Bill's pet name for that old D-12 monster) sound like a million bucks!

That has been several years ago, maybe as many as eight. You were in town in the cast of the "Just A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline" show. The years seem to fly by sometimes......

John L.
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Tommy Young
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Joined: 1 Dec 2004 1:01 am
Location: Ethelsville Alabama

Post by Tommy Young »

MY condolences to his family and friends.


Another of our family is gone sure is a lot of them leaving us,sure is sad to see all these greats leaving us..
TOMMY YOUNG
MAX-TONE MODIFICATIONS
BMI dealer,Classic VIBE 100 amp... SIT strings..
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David Haddock
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Joined: 1 Apr 2002 1:01 am
Location: Tulsa, OK originally Jacksonville, FL

Good bye

Post by David Haddock »

Sorry to hear he's gone, I learned a lot from Bill. My best wishes to his family. Bill was a great mentor to me and I'll never forget him. I will never part with my Rayline.
David Haddock
haddockguitars@gmail.com
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Joe McHam
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Joined: 6 Sep 1999 12:01 am
Location: Houston, TX * R.I.P.

Mr. Bill Ray

Post by Joe McHam »

My thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family & friends of Mr Bill.. Sadly he will be added to http://www.joemcham.net/Memories/BillRay/index.html
Please send memories of him that you would like added to his tribute site..
Houston, TX
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Fender Princeton Amp.
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John LeMaster
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Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: North Florida

Thanks

Post by John LeMaster »

Joe,

Thank you.

John L.
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