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Wilmer Carl “Hooray” Ray, 71, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. He was a lifelong resident of Cherokee, Alabama, and graduated Cherokee High School in the class of 1971. Carl played football and held the record for most yards in a season, most touchdowns in a season. His senior year was the last time Cherokee beat Colbert County in football. Carl was a walk on at Florence State, now UNA. He served as a volunteer firefighter with Barton Volunteer Fire Department. He retired after twenty-eight years as a tractor operator with Natchez Trace Parkway National Park Service and would fight fires for Natchez Trace out west. Carl also served twenty-eight years with the National Guard and five years in the Army. He enjoyed cutting grass, his community, helping anyone in need, and watching the races at the racetrack. He served as a deacon at Nazareth Primitive Baptist Church in Cherokee.
Carl is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ray Elder, and his father, Willie B. Goodloe. He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-nine years, Amy Suzanne Ray; sons, Jai Triplett (Julie), Nick Huey; daughters, Brandy Armstead, Jordan Ray, Carley Steele (Tarrant); brothers, Jason L. Ray, Terry Goodloe; sisters, Felecia Mead, Darlene Malone, Teresa Decatur, Margaret Goodloe, Elaine Goodloe; grandchildren, Jalen Triplett, Jasha Triplett, Alanis Armstead, Kyson Steele, Dallas Steele; nieces and nephews, special nephew Jason Ray; special buddy and friend, Matt McCaig.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 11:00 to 1:00, with the funeral service immediately following at Morrison Funeral Home in Cherokee with Rev. William Vaughn officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cherokee High School Class of 1971.
Wilmer Carl “Hooray” Ray, 71, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. He was a lifelong resident of Cherokee, Alabama, and graduated Cherokee High School in the class of 1971. Carl played football and held the record for most yards in a season, most touchdowns in a season. His senior year was the last time Cherokee beat Colbert County in football. Carl was a walk on at Florence State, now UNA. He served as a volunteer firefighter with Barton Volunteer Fire Department. He retired after twenty-eight years as a tractor operator with Natchez Trace Parkway National Park Service and would fight fires for Natchez Trace out west. Carl also served twenty-eight years with the National Guard and five years in the Army. He enjoyed cutting grass, his community, helping anyone in need, and watching the races at the racetrack. He served as a deacon at Nazareth Primitive Baptist Church in Cherokee.Carl is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ray Elder, and his father, Willie B. Goodloe. He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-nine years, Amy Suzanne Ray; sons, Jai Triplett (Julie), Nick Huey; daughters, Brandy Armstead, Jordan Ray, Carley Steele (Tarrant); brothers, Jason L. Ray, Terry Goodloe; sisters, Felecia Mead, Darlene Malone, Teresa Decatur, Margaret Goodloe, Elaine Goodloe; grandchildren, Jalen Triplett, Jasha Triplett, Alanis Armstead, Kyson Steele, Dallas Steele; nieces and nephews, special nephew Jason Ray; special buddy and friend, Matt McCaig.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 11:00 to 1:00, with the funeral service immediately following at Morrison Funeral Home in Cherokee with Rev. William Vaughn officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cherokee High School Class of 1971.
