Billy Joe “B. J.” Ray

Billy Joe “B. J.” Ray, 83, passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Baptist Medical Center - Attala in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, June 6 at Hinze Baptist Church with Dr. Paul Blanchard officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 12:30 p.m. until service time at the church. Interment will immediately follow the service in Hinze Baptist Church Cemetery.

B. J. was born February 23, 1938, to Cyrus Leach and Georgia Hinze Ray in Winston County, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Lobutcha High School and Mississippi State Trooper school. B. J. faithfully served the residents of Mississippi as a State Trooper for 34 years. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening especially growing watermelons.

B. J. is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Bobbie Nell Ray and three sons: Joseph Ray and wife Evy-An of Flora, Mississippi, Marcus B. Ray of Hinze Community, and Scott Ray and wife Anna of Folsom, Louisiana. One of his greatest joys was being “PaPaw” to his five grandchildren: Chandler Ray, Lauren (Jarrett) Keith, Logan Ray, Dylan Ray, and Alyssa Ray as well as one great-granddaughter Willia-Kayte Keith. B. J. is also survived by his brother Garland Ray and his sister-in-law Iona Ray. He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: William “Cleo” Ray, Wallace Ray, Jewelene Shumaker, and Hinze Ray.

Memorials in memory of B. J. may be given to Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Development Accounting, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.

Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 N. Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.