Will Ray, 80, of Galesburg, Illinois, died peacefully at home on Friday, February 6, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones, his daughter Amanda and grandchildren.
Will was born October 30, 1945, in Idabel, Oklahoma, the son of Edward Thadeous Ray and Bernice (Mize) Ray. Following graduation from Knoxville High School, Will joined and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War with the 196th LT Infantry Brigade. He received the Purple Heart as a Specialist Five for wounds received in action on November 4, 1966, in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. Will was honorably discharged on June 16, 1967. He loved to travel and learn from other cultures and traditions and saw many parts of the world in his adventures.
After returning from Vietnam he studied in Chicago at Midwestern Broadcasting School leading to a long career in radio and television as an on-air personality, producer, program director, music director, and news announcer, including Creative Broadcasting, WAIK-AM/WGBQ-FM, WGIL-AM/WAAG-FM Radio, Eastern Broadcasting Springfield, WCBS AM/FM Radio, and WMBD- AM/FM radio and television Peoria.
Working in radio allowed Will the opportunity to follow his passion for music and he became a full-time musician. He started his own country western band, Will Ray and the Silver Wings as lead singer and playing rhythm guitar. He performed around Illinois and wrote, produced and recorded a 45-rpm record in Nashville.
Will continued his education earning an Associate in Arts from Illinois Central College, performed for the theater company in Peoria, received multiple certifications from DePaul University and Carl Sandburg College, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Management from the University of Phoenix, Arizona.
Will also worked many years as a program director for a Christian radio station, KHEP and KGCB in Phoenix and Prescott Arizona responsible for programming and transitioning to digital computer automation, writing, producing commercials, public affairs, hosting guests and variety talk shows. Will also created and ran an apprenticeship program helping many students begin their career in radio.
Following the move from Arizona back to Illinois, Will worked for Maytag until its closure and spent the rest of his career at Caterpillar until his retirement in 2010. Upon retiring, Will headed out West to enjoy retired life and live with his daughter and grandchildren in Washington State.
Will had many great achievements and accomplishments but he was most proud of being known as “Papa” to his grandchildren. He was at every event, play, musical concert, dance recital and volunteered at their schools. Papa shared his love of music with his daughter and grandchildren, and taught them music, singing, and guitar lessons, creating many fun and memorable family jam sessions. Papa also loved basketball, playing both in school and for the Army. He was a volunteer coach for his grandchildren’s teams for many seasons throughout the years and never missed any of their games.
He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you listened because every word had meaning. He believed in a minimalistic life, finding peace and balance from within and seeking knowledge over cluttering one’s life with meaningless stuff. He could fix and build anything, never spoke an unkind word about anyone, found beauty in everything even when it was hard to find and lived with intention and purpose every day. He was a kind, gentle, patient, calm, loving, father, grandfather, and great grandfather with the perfect dry sense of humor.
Will loved animals, nature, art and history, with a strong belief that one should never stop asking questions, learning and growing. Will loved the outdoors, being at one with nature and living a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, Will biked across Arizona, ran marathons, walked and hiked mountains raising money and donating to various charities.
Will lives on forever in the knowledge he gave his daughter and grandchildren and in the love he wholeheartedly and selflessly gave unconditionally to those he loved.
Will is survived by his daughter, Amanda Autumn Ray of Galesburg; four grandchildren, Kiara Ray, Kingston Ray, Alorah Macumber, and Kodin Macumber; and one great grandson, Kaspian Ray. He is also survived by two brothers, two sisters, a half-brother and half-sister, and nieces and nephews. Will was preceded in death by his granddaughter Aria, his father, Edward Ray; his mother, Bernice (Ray) Nelson; his stepfather Richard Nelson, and one sister, Ann Gebert.
Cremation will be accorded. Per Will’s wishes, Private family services and interment will be in the veteran’s section at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Military rites will be conducted by the Knox County Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Will’s daughter and grandchildren. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
