Willie (Ray) Williams, 73, departed from this life on June 7, 2026, after an extended illness. Willie Ray was born on June 25, 1952, to the late Marie Williams and Willie Woods in Kansas City Kansas. He attended Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and graduated from Sumner High School in 1970. Ray later attended Penn Valley College, where he studied photography and loved capturing great images with his camera. Ray also attended countless higher education classes with the Kansas City Police Department.

Ray began his professional career at Sears Roebuck and Company, but found his niche when he joined the Kansas City Police Department. Officer Friendly, as he was nicknamed by his friends and family and RayGun by fellow officers. Willie Ray took his police work very seriously, trying to make a positive impact in the traffic division. Fighting crimes, domestic violence cases, and much more. Willie Ray was also part of the motorcycle team for a short time with the KCPD.

After retiring from the KCPD, Ray spent the next ten years at C.R.E.S. Management. He was working with his wife and often cracking the joke that he couldn’t call in sick because his wife was his boss. Willie Ray also worked five years as a personal driver for the Nuns at Little Sisters of the Poor. The Nuns helped Ray become a less aggressive driver. When someone would cut them off the road; the nuns would say, “Horn them Willie, Horn them!” Ray often said he thought in his mind that he could see a road rage video of him with four Nuns in tow. He would humorously respond to the Nuns “That’s okay, Sisters, just let them be.” He really loved that job.

Ray’s hobbies were vast. He loved bowling, movies, watching TV, traveling, good music, visiting with his friends and family and playing cards. An avid Chiefs fan, Sports was one of his primary pastimes. He and a group of good friends would travel to at least one to two games outside of Kansas City each season to root for the Chiefs. Ray truly loved these yearly trips traveling with the guys. He would pack up his suitcase six months in advance. Over the course of his life, He visited countless cities rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ray was blessed with three wonderful children: Ashley, Taylor and Willie Ray Jr. He was an excellent father to them: kind, compassionate, giving and always passing on life lessons and self-protection methods he learned over the years. Ray continually reminded them: “You know your Daddy loves You.” When Willie Ray met Kathy, He found the love of His life in what could only be called love at first sight. Ray and Kathy hit it off from the start and never looked back, enjoying countless hours of laughing, talking, cruising, traveling and just simply being together. 

Kathy would always say, “Ray’s smile and good heart always pierced her heart with love and joy.

Ray’s last trip included a surprise visit to see his brother, Ken Williams, who he held near and dear to his heart. Ken and Ray shared many good times over their lifetime; never losing contact with each other and always sharing good laughs. Ray always looked forward to hearing his brother’s one-liner jokes. Ray also went on his last cruise during this same time with his wife and son. It was a true fun, relaxing cruise which the whole family enjoyed, and he said it was one of his favorite trips of all time. Ray also enjoyed visiting with his late sister, Evelyn and taking her to the grocery store and doctor’s appointments, coupled with going to Jack Stack and Gate’s Barbecue. He loved and treasured their time together.

Ray was also a superb cook, through skills he learned from his mother, who handed down her excellent precise instructions and special recipes. Ray’s holiday spreads were legendary. Scrumptious turkey and dressing, homemade lemon pies, sweet potatoes and all the trimmings during the holiday season. He passed the dressing recipe on to family and friends. Good luck with that! His Mom and Dad were a guiding force in his life.

Ray also cherished his late Father and Mother-in-Law: John R, and Ruby Bullock, and often remarked that he was given them as another set of parents when he lost his parents. Ray spent many cherished hours with his In-Laws; enjoying good laughs, dinners, traveling or just hanging out. His Father-in-Law considered himself the World’s Best Driver until he met Ray. So, he passed the torch to him saying Ray was a perfect driver and tipping his hat off to him in recognition of that honor. They had so many funny, memorable moments.

Ray never met a stranger. He did not have a special friend or relative. He always said his friends and family were all very special to him and he cherished each one of them. Willie Ray Sr. was loved and admired by so many people; too many to mention by name. He will be missed by them all.

Willie Ray missed four very important June milestones by a few weeks: Father’s Day, June 21. On June 25 th he would have celebrated his 74 th birthday; On June 26th his grandson, Alex’s birthday and on June 30, he would have celebrated 26 years of marriage to Kathy.

Left to mourn his memory are his wife, Kathy, his son, Willie Ray Jr, at home; daughters: Ashley Williams of Independence, Missouri and Taylor (Vincent) Eason of Grandview, Missouri; Stepson, Corey Brasselmon of Kansas City, Missouri; Brother, Kenneth Williams; (Shannon) of Midwest City, Oklahoma City; Five Grandchildren, Kaelyn Washam, Sydnee Lightbourne, Alexander Lightbourne, Ethan Lightbourne, and Kyndal Acklin, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Willie Ray was preceded in death by his parents: Marie Williams and Willie Woods, and siblings Mae Katherine Williams and Evelyn Tucker, Brother, Michael Williams and many other loving family members and friends. Willie Ray will be sorely missed.

A service will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Christian Tabernacle COGIC, 7405 Paseo Blvd. KCMO. The visitation will begin at 9:00-11:00 am, with the service to follow promptly at 11:00 am.

Interment will take place at XII Gate Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 9500 Bannister, KCMO 64134.