William Dale Ray

William "Dale" Ray of Paris Landing, Tennessee, age 85, passed away on November 1, 2024. He was born on August 25, 1939, to his parents, Clifton and Virginia Ray. As a young boy he was saved at Donaldson Baptist Church. 

Dale was a graduate of Caldwell County High School where he played football and basketball. He then went on to Murray State University where he graduated with his Master's in Education. After graduation he became a Health and Physical Education teacher for 35 plus years. He was most well-known as "Coach" and for his success as a boys basketball coach at many high schools, in Kentucky and Tennessee, such as Ballard Memorial High School, Hickman County High School and South Fulton High School. His most successful year as a basketball coach was in 1973 when he took Hickman County to the state tournament and made it to the final four. 

After retiring twice, once in Kentucky and then in Tennessee, he began enjoying retirement life where you could find him living on the lake and crappie fishing. In his younger years, Dale was known as an avid quail hunter where he was able to make many impossible shots and was a phenomenal bowler where he won many trophies. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching dog races, spending time at the family farm in Princeton gardening and visiting the ocean. He was a simple kind of man and never stayed in the same place for too long. 

Dale is survived by one son, William Todd Ray (Becky) of LaCenter, KY; one daughter, Dianna Michele Ray of Kevil, KY; five grandchildren, Kayla (Tyler) Morrow, Emma Ray, Erika (Ryan) Wildharber, Cooper (MaryBeth) Ray, William Ray; five great-grandchildren, Emma Morrow, Cohen Morrow, Berklee Morrow, Adlee Morrow and Max Wildharber. 

He is preceded in death by his parents. 

Visitation Services will be held on November 4, 2024, at Morrow Funeral Chapel after 5:00 p.m. in LaCenter, KY.

Graveside Services will be held on November 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Morse Cemetery, in Farmersville, KY with Rev. Tim Turner officiating.