BILLY RAY PLUNK

Dickson, TN

Funeral services were conducted Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. from the chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home. Bro Randy Clark officiated with friends giving personal eulogies and readings. Place of rest is in the Dickson County Memorial Gardens.

Those desiring, memorials may be made to the Billy Ray Plunk GoFundMe Account or to the Billy Ray Plunk Fund at the Community Bank and Trust, 101 West Kingston Springs Road, Kingston Springs, TN 37082 or at any branch of the Community Bank and Trust.

Billy Ray, age 29, died suddenly Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

He was born in Davidson County, son of Wayne Ray (Bubba) and Mary Beth Wall Plunk. He was a loving father, son, grandson, brother, nephew, and friend. A graduate of Harpeth High School , class of 2005, where he excelled in the sport of wrestling. Even after graduation he returned to the school to help out with his favorite sport. Billy Ray had a kind, loving and big heart and could share with you the biggest and the best hugs. He was a hard worker who loved dearly his family and friends.

Billy Ray's family wanted to share the following that longtime family friend, Neil Orne, wrote on Monday;

" I can't count the number of shootings we cover on the news, all senseless, so often for a few dollars or a handful of change, as if more would justify the crime of stealing someone's life. I will tell you this from personal experience now, its only a matter of time before that "random" murder that we all try to insulate ourselves from comes uninvited into your life and you find yourself trying to comfort a dad who just lost his son a few hours ago. There are no answers, there is no explanation there are NO words. And that was my Saturday morning talking to my friend Ray Plunk who just lost the light of his life, his hero, his son Billy Ray. Ray and I worked together in a side business a few years back, Billy Ray eventually came on board as well. I can't count the number of hours the three of us spent working on cars. This father and son cared deeply for each other. It is the relationship I want with my daughters. Respect, love and just enjoying every minute. Billy Ray was young, just out of high school. He'd work until the job was done, even past his time on the clock. He was quiet with a quick wit, he was a joy to be around. He knew right from wrong, something Ray instilled in him. So to hear that he resisted when someone was trying to do wrong, just didn't surprise me. Do I wish he just walked away, yes. That's not the Billy Ray I knew, but the "what ifs" will never go away. I really wish the person that killed Billy Ray had any regard for a life. He did not deserve to die. We report often, more and more often on these murders. Rarely do you see the pain and despair of loved ones following these senseless acts. It leaves me grieving for Billy Ray's family, grasping for answers and posting another "gofundme" link for a family planning a funeral for a young father. This time however it was a young man I knew. How have we come to hold such little regard for life."

A special thank you to Neil for his love and thoughts of Billy Ray and to all the community for the love and prayers that have been shared with the Plunk family.

Survivors include his son, Jaxson Ray Plunk of Nashville,TN; his parents, Wayne Ray (Bubba) and Mary Beth Wall Plunk of Dickson,TN; his grandparents, Wayne and Betty Plunk of Bon Aqua, TN; his brothers, Adam Plunk, Nathan Plunk and Zach Plunk all of Nashville, TN; Several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Billy Ray was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Billy and Peggy Cooksey Wall; his aunt, Terry Plunk Tortorich.

Active casket bearers will be Adam Plunk, Nathan Plunk, Zach Plunk, Justin Spurlock, Jordan Spurlock, Matt Plunk, Andrew Abell, Brandon Abell, Craiggy Tortorich, Brian Goad, Kennedy Goad; Honorary will be Mike Plunk, John Faulkner, Tracy Ellis, Larry Roberts, John McWhorter.

Services were under the direction of the TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, Dickson,TN 615-446-2808 TaylorSince1909.com