Ray grew up in southeast Ohio and graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Chemistry. After a brief work in cancer research at the University of Wisconsin in 1957, he began preaching full time at a congregation in Springfield, IL in 1958.

Ray met and married his wife, Nina, while in Springfield. They have been blessed with three daughters and eight grandchildren. Ray has served for over forty years both as full time minister and pulpit minister in several congregations in Central Illinois. He worked as a research technician at Monsanto Co. for six years, taught school for three years and retired from Illinois Power Co. in 1977 as Supervisor of Power Plant Chemistry after eighteen years.

Ray and Nina moved to Harvest, AL in June, 2003 to be near their 8 grandchildren.

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:1-2