Lindsey Wilson Ray,   92, of Summersville,  passed away Tuesday October 14, 2025.  He died peacefully in his sleep in his favorite chair. Lindsey was born on September 30, 1933, to the late Effie Virginia Fitzwater Ray and William Alford Ray, in Jodi, WV.  He was the oldest, along with a twin sister Frances, of 7 children.  He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Freda Marie Brown Ray;  a brother Ben Ray, a sister Nancy Mink,   his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dorothy Jeffers Brown and Wilis (Buck) Brown, and his son in law, Rodney Lewis Evans and many friends and other family members, whom he loved very much.

Lindsey's legacy was his family:   Carlotta Ray Evans of Summersville,  and Cindy Ray (Tony) Preast (Myrtle Beach, SC);  his grandchildren, Rodney Lewis Evans, Jr. of Summersville, Adam Wayne (Roxxie) Evans of Weston,  Captain Eric David Evans of Ft Stewart, GA,  Jennifer Nicole (Jeff) Brooks of Daniels, , Joseph Lindsey (Kendra) Preast of Oak Hill, and Justin Alexander (Kat) Preast of Hampstead, NC;  and his favorites..... his great grandchildren – Emma and Aubree Evans (Eric); Thomas and James Evans (Adam); Caroline Biere (Jennifer); Levi, Milo and Noel Preast (Joseph); and Nolan Preast (Justin, or Alex as we call him).

Also included in his grandchildren and great grandchildren by love and by choice, are Heather Dawn Wiant Jones (Chris), and her children, Logan, Dallas and Tommie Ann Cole.  They are a significant part of the Ray family and Pappy loved them as family.

With each generation that followed him, he loved more and more.  The amount of love in his heart for his family was unsurpassed.

Lindsey leaves behind:  all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren;  Siblings, Frances Preast of Russellville,  Janie (Paul) Strickland of New Martinsville,  and John Ray of Summersville,   and a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  He also leaves behind many friends, who knew and loved him as family.

Lindsey served 7 years active duty in the United States Air Force, and 20 years in the Air Force Reserves in Charleston,   He was proud of his military service and loved his country.  He worked on planes in the Air Force and was proud of the work he did to keep Air Force fleets flying safely.   He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal in 1959, and a Longevity Service Award in 1962.

Pappy also loved the WV Mountaineers.  Win or lose, he wasn't going to miss a game if he could help it, both basketball and football.  Proud to be a Mountaineer was definitely one of his mottos.

The family would like to mention the staff at the Villages at Greystone, who made him feel at home the last years of his life.  They loved him, laughed with him, cared for him, and are now grieving him.  Special mention also of his caretaker that became family, Barbara Reed.  She loved and cared for "Pappy" like he was her own, and quickly became a family member.

Funeral services, with military honors, will be conducted at noon on Saturday, October 18th, in the Waters Funeral Chapel at Summersville with Pastor Mike Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery at Fola, where he will be buried by his lifelong sweetheart and wife, Freda. Friends may call at the funeral chapel one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude's Children's hospital.  "Pappy" loved helping children and helping medical teams that help children.

Condolences: watersfuneralchapel.com