Abu Bilal "Willie Ray, Jr." ABDUR-RAHMAN

ABDUR-RAHMAN - Abu Bilal Willie Ray, Jr. Departed this life January 5, 2013, born September 8, 1954 to the late Willie and Gwendolyn Lindsey Ray in Buffalo, NY. Bilal attended the Buffalo Public School System, graduating from East High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1973 as a Paratrooper. He attended both Genesee and Erie Community Colleges. He had a passion for the arts, anything from reading and writing poetry to drumming. He was the publisher and author of "The Joy of My Life", which was dedicated to his beloved daughter, the late Brittany Joy Ray. Bilal was an energetic person, always smiling, very persistent, a perfectionist and a generous man who loved his family and friends deeply. He loved being around his children and grandchildren. He loved to cook his famous pancakes. Bilal was formerly employed at Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services. He was the sole proprietor of Ruff Buff and was a court advocate at Back to Basic Ministries. He also was involved in Prisoners R People Too and received numerous awards. He is survived by his wife, Venita C. Abdur-Rahman (nee Pickett); nine children, Aisha, Gwendolyn and Ronald Keels, Jr. of Buffalo, NY, Susan Chausiku, and Willie of Binghamton, NY, Jihad and Eboni Ray of Johnson City, NY; two sisters, Patricia of Hanford, CA and Pamela (Arthur) Linton of Baltimore, MD; three aunts of Birmingham, AL; 14 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; friend, Dale Lockwood; Lily McDonald "Mom" and Nellie Robinson "Momma"; five sisters-in-law, Sharon Pickett of Birmingham, AL, Mary Walker, Yolanda Robinson and Tonya (Kenneth) Pickett-Stewart of Buffalo, NY and Wanda (Terry) Scott of Raleigh, NC; four brothers-in-law, Antonio (Linda) Robinson and Rob Robinson of Buffalo, NY, Jose (Deborah) Robinson of Seattle, WA and Tiny Robinson of Los Angeles, CA; preceding Bilal in death was his daughter, Brittany Joy Ray; parents, Willie and Gwendolyn Lindsey Ray; sisters, Willie Lea, Elaine, Gwendolyn, Lottie Jean, Paula Loretta and Patience. Funeral and prayers will be held Tuesday at Masjid Darus-Salaam, 75 East Parade, Buffalo, NY 14211. Interment services with Military Honors will be held at Ridgelawn Cemetery. Arrangements by BRIAN K. LEWIS FUNERAL HOME, 347 Peckham St., Buffalo, NY.