Wray Williams Obituary

His journey here is complete, and he now rests in the loving embrace of his Lord and Savior. With a heavy heart, we announce that Wray Williams, 88, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023. The family will welcome friends from 6:00 - 7:00 p. m. on Thursday, May 11th at Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p. m. on Friday, May 12th at Church of the Good Shepherd, 1007 Burnett Street, Wichita Falls, Texas, officiated by Fr. Elmer Miguel. A reception in the parish hall will follow the service. A private family burial officiated by Fr. Elmer Miguel will proceed the memorial service. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn's Colonial Funeral Home. Wray was born July 21,1934 to Louis and Judge Edd Williams in Buffalo Springs, Texas. While living on the farm, Wray attended schools in Buffalo Springs, Bellevue, Blue Grove and Midway. Wray graduated at the age of 20 from Midwestern State University with a Bachelor of Accounting degree. After graduation, Wray served two years in the U. S. Army at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Fort Carson in Colorado and Fort Belvoir in Virginia working in the Finance and Auditing divisions. While in the service, Wray played the organ and served as a Chaplain's Assistant. Most Sunday evenings, Wray attended the National Cathedral Evensong, a musical and scriptural prayer service. After serving in the Army, Wray worked for TC Anthony Public Accounting and a highway construction firm. He left the construction firm to join Moran Bros. , Inc. as office manager, Controller, Secretary, and Treasurer. Wray's work at Moran took him to Alaska, London, California, Utah, and Norway. After Moran, Wray joined Bridwell Oil Company where he served as office manager and Chief Financial Officer for twenty-nine years. In early retirement, Wray worked as a consultant to 3-T Exploration and then opened an independent office in the Hamilton Building. Wray married Ann Swafford on August 13,1960 in the First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls. After marriage they joined the First Methodist Church. Wray and Ann were blessed with two boys whom they lovingly devoted themselves to raising. The family always had dinner together and it was always in the dining room. Each summer, the family spent the second week in August at the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs and attended Sunday morning worship in the Air Force Academy Chapel. After their boys were grown, Ann and Wray traveled regularly to New York to visit museums, dine at restaurants, see Broadway shows and worship at Episcopal Churches. Several times on their anniversary, they traveled on the Queen Mary from New York to London. Wray loved British history and the pageantry of the Royal Family. During each visit, he watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace at least once and would attend worship services at the Church of England. Ann and Wray enjoyed fifty-four wonderful years of marriage before she passed away in 2015. Wray was a charter member and past President of the Petroleum Accountants Society of Wichita Falls as well as a long-time member of the Dallas Chapter of Petroleum Accountants Society. Wray served as a Director of the North Texas Oil and Gas Association and as the Chairman of the Insurance Committee. In 2002, Wray was honored as an Outstanding Alumnus from the School of Business at Midwestern State University. Wray was a board member and treasurer of the North Texas Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Broadway Theater League, the Wichita Falls Symphony, the Wichita Club, the Metropolitan Club, the Wichita Falls Mental Health Association, and the North Texas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Wray also served as a board member and assistant treasurer of the Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center; charter member and treasurer of Friends of Hospice; and board member of the Civic Chorus of Wichita Falls. Wray was confirmed at the Church of the Good Shepherd on October 15, 1989, by the Right Reverend Clarence C. Pope, Bishop, Diocese of Fort Worth. Wray participated in Bible study; served on the Vestry as treasurer; and was a Lector and usher. Along with his parents, Wray was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann. Wray is survived by his son, Edwin and his wife, Kim, and his son Barry. Wray is survived by grandchildren, Ryan and David. He is also survived by his brother Jerry and his wife Betty. The family wishes to thank the staff at Earle W. Crawford House of Hope for all the loving care provided for Wray. The family also wishes to thank special friends Judge Jim Hogan and Zeke Rodriquez for their friendship and continuous support. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Church of the Good Shepherd, Hospice of Wichita Falls or Boy Scouts of America.