Ray Alvin Williams

Ray Alvin Williams, 83, of Montana City, went home to be with his Lord, of natural causes, on May 29, 2015.

Ray was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to the late Reverend Perry and Laura Williams. Ray met and married his high school sweetheart, Delores Pocha, on Dec. 14, 1951, in Helena. Delores preceded Ray in death on May 22, 1983. Ray then married and is survived by Wanda Radley Williams, on March 31, 1984.

Ray was preceded in death by his brother, James (Wanita) Williams; sister Betty Satchell Clearman; and sister Helen Doss.

He is survived by brother Bob (Denise) Williams, Idaho; brothers-in-law Francis Clearman, Colorado, and Lawrence Doss, North Carolina; Ray and Delores’ three children, Connie and (Craig) Ambrose of Somers, Ronald Ray Williams (Barbara) of East Helena and Marvin Dale Williams (Sheila) of Helena; grandchildren Seth Ambrose of California, Caleb Ambrose of Washington, Nathan Williams of Arizona, Whitney Williams and Randy Nielsen of Helena and Kelsey and Kyndal Williams of Billings; and great-grand children Ellie, Layla and Riley. In addition, he is survived by Wanda’s five children, Robert Radley (Maureen), Becky (Dan) Schulze, Cindy (Wes) Austin of Montana City, Daniel Radley (Beverly) of Helena and James Radley (Caryl) olf Dayton, Ohio. Ray and Wanda’s additional treasures were their beloved 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grand children, one great-great grand child, along with many nephews and nieces.

Ray’s early years were spent in Oklahoma on a dairy farm; then he moved with his family to Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, as his father was called to preach and work. He graduated from Helena High School in 1950, while working as a mechanic at Canyon Ferry. Later in life, Ray frequently shared stories of driving through a snowstorms, snow as high as parking meters, and working outside in the bitter cold.

Ray worked on a highway survey crew along the Montana Highline and Interstate Project through Livingston, until he was recruited to work as a highway designer for the state Highway Department in 1952. After 25 years with the highway, Ray chose to retire in 1982 and often quoted, “There was a right way, a wrong way, or the highway way, and we do it the highway way.” Ray and Wanda spent several enjoyable years traveling across the states in their RV to visit family and see the sights. They also liked to spend their summers at their cabin outside of Lincoln.

Ray was a member of the Nazarene church approximately 65 years; he served in the MT National Guard for 15 years. He also served on the East Helena City Council several years and was an active member of the East Helena Kiwanas Club, serving as president and secretary.

Ray had a heart for the community and children by helping them build the East Helena Kennedy Park, chaperoning teen-age dances at the East Helena Fire Hall, building derby cars, bike safety programs, coaching softball, fish derbies and giving a helping hand wherever there was a need. In addition, he loved to go camping with the family, hunt, ice fish, square dance and attend his grandchildren’s sporting, musical, and theatrical events.

Ray was the kind of man you wanted with you on the journey of life, one who walked in faith, with integrity, was responsible and dependable, and loved his family and friends.

We would like to thank hospice and the staff at Aspen Gardens for their loving care and support of Ray and his family.

Services will be held at the Church of the Nazarene, at 11 a.m., on June 3, at 117 Valley Drive.

Tributes to be shared at www.helenafunerals.com, Big Sky Cremation & Twitchell Funeral Service.

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