A.C. Ray

Acy Carroll Ray, known affectionately as A.C. to most, dad to his kids, and Carroll to some of his family, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025, at Baylor Scott & White following a long and courageous battle with myeloid sarcoma and lung cancer. He was 82 years old.

Born on December 5, 1942, to Acy and Winnie Foley Ray, A.C. was a lifelong Texan with deep roots in his community. He graduated from Belton High School in 1962 and attended Temple College. He married his high school sweetheart Luanne Cline Ray. They built a life grounded in love, commitment, and family after adopting Nikki & Wesley.

A.C. dedicated much of his life to Continental Belton where he started in the fiberglass shop before moving into Ag sales. When Continental changed to Ag-Mier he started the Brush Master Fire truck division and worked with many local volunteer fire departments. After a brief retirement, the Kyrish Government Group talked him back into working because of his special interest in and knowledge of old fire equipment, which remained a passion throughout his life.

He coached his daughter Nikki in softball for many years with Allen Koonsen. The two of them coached many girls over the years and he loved the team work he taught them.

When his kids got into High School they got into showing pigs. This started an entire new chapter for him. He raised show pigs with and for his kids. He had so much fun he continued for many years after they graduated. Then he went on to teach and mentored many others with show pigs for a number of years, making many new memories.

Later in life, A.C. found love again and married Betty Schraeder Ray of Riesel. Through this union, he gained a large and loving extended family who cherished him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Luanne Cline Ray, son, Wesley Ray, sisters Patsy Goode & Bobbie Weathers and brother Steve Ray.

A.C. is survived by his daughter Nikki Ray of Belton, wife Betty Ray of Riesel, sister Freddie Panter of Blue Ridge, Georgia, brother Butch Ray of Cyclone, TX, along with many beloved family members and longtime friends.

A memorial service will be held at Soldiers of the Cross Cowboy Church in Nolanville, TX on June 6, 2025. A visitation will take place from 12-2pm with the service starting at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local Volunteer Fire Department or Trinity Lutheran Church Property Repair Fund (PO Box 447 Riesel, TX 76682) in his honor.

A.C. will be remembered for his huge heart, enduring strength and sense of humor, passion for helping others and the love he shared with everyone around him.