Ray Williams

Ray F. "Tuffy" Williams, 89, went to be with his Lord and rejoin the love of his life, Mary Joe, on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Tuffy resided in the Lake Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lewisville, TX. He was born on Oct. 17, 1922, in Okmulgee, to Harry and Myrtle Williams. He married the former Mary Joe Friend on Feb. 10, 1947, in Vinita at the Friend family home. In his 63 years of marriage they had two daughters, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his daughters Carla Yocum and husband (Bill) of Lewisville, TX, and Cindy Allen and husband (Jerry) of Claremore, OK ; grandchildren Nicky Fryman and husband (Brad) of Lewisville, TX, Clay Yocum of Dallas, TX, and Lance McComb, Dallas, TX; two great grandchildren, Bennett and Brayden Fryman, Lewisville, TX. Preceding Tuffy in death was his wife, Mary Joe in 2009; extended family includes a brother, Carl, and three sisters, Opal Schmidt, Leona, and Genevieve Williams. Ray grew up around his dad on the rodeo circuit, and rode his first calf at age 4. This is when a rodeo cowboy named him "Tuffy". He was a world champion bull rider, and eventually donned his rodeo clown nose and appeared at many professional events. Ray enlisted in the Navy and worked as a radar man while serving on the USS Greene in the Pacific during World War II. He earned numerous military honors and medals while serving his country. He was a member of the Vinita Dale Peace Post 40 American Legion since 1945 for 67 continuous years. Tuffy was a pipeliner by trade and was a major contributor to various pipeline projects all around the world. He and Mary Joe spent their retirement years spoiling their grandchildren until finally locating in Lewisville, Texas, near their daughters. Visitation will be held Wednesday March 14, at Luginbuel Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday March 15, at 10 a.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home in Vinita, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be Wed., March 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Luginbuel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Visitation Details

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 9:00pm - 8:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012 9:00am - 8:00pm, Luginbuel Funeral Home Vinita

Service Details

Thursday, March 15th, 2012, Luginbuel Funeral Home

Interment Details

Fairview Cemetery - Vinita