Durwood Ray

Services for Durwood “Mitz” Ray, 81, of Belton, were held Nov. 25 in the Heartfield Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Rest Haven Cemetery, south of Belton.
Ray died Nov. 22 at his residence.

He was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Youngsport, to Joel A. Ray and Ruby Dockray. He married Nan Pamplin on Aug. 25, 1949 in Killeen. Ray was a rancher in Belton for many years. He was also a member of the Cowboy Turtle Association, the Rodeo Cowboy Association; a Gold Card life member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. He was inducted into the Bell County Cowboys and Cowgirls Ring of Honor and will be inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in April 2007.

Survivors include his wife, Nan Ray, of Belton; two sons, Mitts Ray, of Round Rock, Robert Ray, of Salado; two daughters, Ruby Cameron, of Salado, Nancy Hale, of Lufkin; three brothers, Jack Ray, of Killeen, D.L. Ray, of Troy, Chine Ray, of Salado; one sister, Billie Jane Sprott, of Azle; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, LaJuan Ray; one brother, Jim Ray.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, c/o Jana Richie at P.O. Box 9373, Huntsville, TX 77340.

Heartfield Funeral Home in Belton was in charge of arrangements.