William Henry "Dub" Ray, 71, of Bentonville was ushered by angels into Heaven Thursday, April 26, as his loving family surrounded his bed at St. Mary's Hospital in Rogers.

He was born August 16, 1935, Marmaduke to Marlin B. and Allie Ray. After graduating from Marmaduke High School, he married his high school sweetheart, Lena Virginia Rose on July 2, 1955 and then enrolled at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro on an athletic scholarship to play basketball as an ASU Indian.

He was known to many as Coach Ray. From 1957 to 1980, he coached high school basketball and other sports at Childress, Marmaduke, Marked Tree and Bay high schools in northeast Arkansas and Bentonville High School in northwest Arkansas. His teams competed in numerous state tournaments, twice winning the state sportsmanship award. His Marked Tree High School cross country team won the 1974 state championship.

From coaching, Dub transitioned into a career as Assets Purchasing Manager for the Wal-Mart Private Fleet. During his 23 years with the fleet, it progressed from having only three distribution centers and 57 tractors and no private feet maintenance shops to become a giant trucking fleet with its own maintenance programs.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Lena V. Ray of Bentonville; two sons, Steven Scott Ray and wife Ronda of Jacksonville, Alab, Flynt William Ray and wife Toni of Branson, Missouri; two daughters, Kimi Lisa Benson and husband Bob of Atlanta, Geor., Ginger Lynne Stegall and husband Jerry of Bentonville; a brother, Jackie E. Ray and wife Beth of Chattanooga, Okla.; three sisters, Gloria Gray of Paragould, Nelda Vojtanic and husband John of Harlingen, Texas, Marlene Brengard and husband Ronnie of Paragould; eight grandchildren, William Louis Ray of New York, Lori Leanne Ray of Chicago, Tara Leighshane Stegall of Bentonville, Jerri Raelyn Tracy and husband Josh of Bentonville, Whitney Michelle Ray of Harrison, Madison McRay Benson of Atlanta, William Von Rayce Benson of Atlanta, William Stowe Ray of Branson; and one great grandchild, Ashton Carmikhil Tracy of Bentonville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marlin B. Ray and Ora Allie Nations Ray and a son, Randal Shane Ray.

Memorials may be made to Tribute Program, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.