RAY EBERLY WILLIAMS, a loving and loyal husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, made his transition on December 2, 2023. Ray was born on February 22, 1942, in Greenville, Mississippi, spent most of his life in Chicago, Illinois, and later moved to Rantoul, Illinois. He was the second of four children, born to Curtis and Florence Williams. Ray’s parents and oldest brother Curtis proceeded him into eternity. Ray was united in matrimony to Cynthia James in 2013. Ray and Cynthia (Cindi), the love of his life, enjoyed a loving and caring relationship. 

At the age of seventeen, Ray joined the United States Army and served for three years, including a year of service in Korea. During his time in the military, he was a paratrooper and received recognition and medals as a sharpshooter and marksman. He was honorably discharged in 1962. 

For over 30 years, Ray worked as an assembly specialist and forklift operator for U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana. While at U.S. Steel, he served as a union representative and was passionate about helping his fellow workers.  Due to an injury, he retired from U.S. Steel and later took on various jobs, including working in security positions in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived for several years.

Ray was a very creative person and enjoyed many creative activities such as drawing and painting. He was a car enthusiast, a great chess player, and loyal Chicago Bears fan. He loved gardening and would receive many accolades from his neighbors for the beautiful front yard garden he kept.

Ray was blessed with a generous and kind spirit and loved to visit with family and friends, of which he had many. He loved children and became a favorite among his family and friends’ children as well. 

As Ray moves on to eternity with God, he will join his parents, Curtis and Florence Williams, and his brother, Curtis, Jr. The memory of Ray’s kind and generous spirit will remain with all who knew and loved him. His loving wife, Cindi, his children, Ray, Jr., and Sean (Cara), his adoring sister, Patricia, and brother Stanley. 

His grandchildren, Sharae, Markez, Kya, Caleb, his nieces and nephews, Stanley, Jr., Chevez Marie (Kenneth), Earl, Jr. (Stephanie), Brian, and great niece and nephew, Sophia, and Earl Jackson (E.J.).  The James Family, Dave (father-in-law), Jeffrey (brother-in-law), Scott and Tina (brother and sister-in-law) and Joshua. And all the many friends and family who loved and cared for him throughout his life.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM on Friday, December 8, 2023 at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana, IL, with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM.  Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, IL.