William T. Ray

William Theodore Ray Business and civic leader, died December 17, 2010 at age 94. He had resided in Indianapolis since the conclusion of World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal during his four years of military service and was honorably discharged with the rank of Major. He was educated in the public schools of Caldwell, New Jersey and attended Oberlin College where he met and later married Alice Brokenburr, a native of Indianapolis. The first Black accredited realtor in Indianapolis, he owned and operated W.T. Ray Real Estate Company for 35 years and was an active member of the Indianapolis Board of Realtors. He was a founder and director of Midwest National Bank and continued to serve on the boards of the successor owners of that institution. He served as an Executive Assistant to Governor Otis Bowen and as the Director of Financial Institutions under Governor Robert Orr. During this period Ray was named Republican Man of the Year by the Republican Mayors' Association. He was also awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash from both Governors Bowen and Orr, was conferred the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, from the University of Indianapolis and elected to the Indiana Academy. From the time he began his residency in Indianapolis, he contributed to the advancement of civil liberties, having served as President of the local chapter of the NAACP and as a member of the Merit Employment Board which was responsible for the breaking of many color barriers. He was the first chairman of the Fund for Hoosier Excellence, Inc., a major source of scholarships for minority students initiated by Indiana Senator Richard Lugar. Other boards of directors on which he served actively are the Washington Township Schools, United Way, Indianapolis Foundation, IUPUI Board of Advisors, Indianapolis Economic Development Corporation, BOS Community Development Corporation, Crooked Creek Community Center, and the Black American Military Heritage Commission. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and Witherspoon Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, William and Malinda Ray, daughter Linda A. Ray, and wife of 67 years, Alice B. Ray. He is survived by children William V. Ray (Hanna) of Boxborough, Massachusetts, Alan B. Ray (Ellin) of Columbus, Ohio, Paul S. Ray (Catherine) of Brooklyn, New York; grandchildren Martin T. Ray, Derek A. Ray, Eva K. Ray, Monica D. Ray and Zola M. Ray; also nieces and nephews, Dr. Janice L. Stickney, William H. Stickney, Jr., Roberta K. Stickney, and William H. Stickney III. Known for his great humility, Mr. Ray requested his final recognition consist only of the graveside veteran's ceremony which will take place at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, December 28th at Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Stuart Mortuary. Charitable donations should be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL, 36104, or online at http: www.splcenter.org . Contributions made before December 31, 2010 are eligible for special matching on a dollar for dollar basis.