Ava Ray

1937 - 2021

Ava Ray
Ava Willingham Ray took flight on January 17, 2021 leaving with warm memories of a wonderful family, treasured friendships and a lifetime of travel adventures.
She was born on February 28, 1937, to Dr. J.J. and Ruth Willingham in Ames, Iowa. Her parents, native Texans, moved to Sherman in 1943 riding the Katy to Denison. In 1948 the family, now including brother Ronald, moved to Lubbock where she graduated from Lubbock High School and then Texas Tech University with a degree in bacteriology.
Jimmy, her husband of 63 years and 11 months, was always encouraging, supportive and fun. Laughter and new experiences such as camping, snow and water skiing, motorcycling, RVing, boating, and of course, aviation were a big part of family life.
Son, Karry Ray and daughter, Shelle Cassell were always a source of love and pride. Son-in-law, Randy, grandsons, Justin Ray and wife, Kirsty, Ryan Cassell and wife, Kimberly, and Colton Cassell, along with great granddaughters, Ainsly, Amelia and Lettie Ray, and Camilla Cassell were the icing on the cake of life. And she loved icing!
Aviation was Ava's vocation and passion. She loved to fly, enjoying flight instruction, charter work and co-piloting with Jimmy in his home-built experimental Eagle and on business in their multi-engine planes. She was very proud of her ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) rating, a certificate that was held by very few women.
Ava's community benefitted from her time and talents. Throughout the years she volunteered with PTA, Camp Fire Council, Denison Service League, League of Women Voters, Panhellenic, Denison Chamber of Commerce, the 99's Women's Pilot Association, and was a founding member of the Memorial Hospital Women's Auxiliary. She ran the Denison Summer Swimming program for several years where she taught hundreds to swim and organized an annual swim meet. She enjoyed an occasional afternoon of bridge, too.
Ava and Jimmy have visited all seven continents and 103 countries. With Ava's positive outlook and ability to connect with people they have friends around the world and across the country. Locally, she always looked forward to Tuesday Lunch Bunch, her 'Shrimpers', Investment Club and Book Club, Supper Club, and many others occasions to visit with friends.
Since current circumstances make it difficult to assemble, and because her friends are far and near, Ava's hope for a remembrance and celebration of life party has been scaled back. She wanted friends to gather at 'wine time' and share stories of their friendship and adventures. We are asking those who wish to celebrate Ava to find a glass of wine (or your favorite beverage) and offer a toast to her fun loving spirit. Wherever you are at 5 pm Friday, Jan. 22, stop and say cheers! If you want to snap a picture and post it on Ava's, Jimmy's or Shelle's Facebook page we would love to see your celebration.
In lieu of flowers, Ava requested donations in her name to the Denison Education Foundation (denisonisd.net), Texas Tech's JJ Willingham scholarship fund she established in her father's memory, or your local animal rescue.
Condolences may be registered online at http://www.fisherfh.com
Arrangements are under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home in Denison.