Phillip Duckworth Ray

Phillip Duckworth Ray Sr., age 95, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, at Westminster Towers in Rock Hill, SC.A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Monday, November 28, at 11 a.m., at Unity Presbyterian Church Historic Sanctuary in Fort Mill, South Carolina with Dr. Dan Holloway and the Reverend Jeannie Bickett officiating.Born on November 7th, 1921 in Asheville, N.C., Phil was the son for the late James Deavers Ray and Maysotta Revelle Duckworth Ray. After graduating from Sand Hills High School in 1940, he attended North Carolina State University. His college studies were interrupted midway when he took a leave of absence to enlist in the United States Air Force. During World War II, he was stationed in Great Britain and flew more than 25 missions over the European combat zones. His stories of these missions were always filled with the sacrifices his fellow soldiers made during that conflict.After receiving an honorable discharge at the end of the war, he returned to North Carolina State and graduated in 1949 with a degree in Textile Management. He immediately began working for Springs Mills, Inc. in Fort Mill and was with that company until 1975 when he started his own company, Ray Textiles. Phil retired after 51 successful years in the textile business that he loved at the age of 80.He served as a Deacon and an Elder at Unity Presbyterian Church where he has been a member for the past 58 years. He was also a long time member of the Fort Mill Rotary Club where he received the Paul Harris award.His love of antiques and flowers were well known in Fort Mill and he was always one to volunteer to work on local projects such as decorating Springfield for Christmas.In addition to his parents, Mr. Ray was preceded in death by his brother James Deavers Ray, Jr., his sister and brothers-in-law, Susannah and Allen Gwyn, Dean and Lou Futrelle and his brothers-in-law, Gwynn Nowell and Matt Futrelle.Phil leaves behind his family, whom he dearly loved; his wife of 71 years, Fannie Belle Futrelle Ray of the home; daughter Lucille Hooper Ray; son Phillip (Flip) Duckworth Ray, Jr. (Jeanie); grandchildren Margaret Ray Lowe (Bradley), Mary Watson Ray McGhie (Te), Phillip Duckworth Ray III (Lesslie); great-grandchildren Thomas Lowe, Caroline Lowe, Carter Smith, Harper McGhie, and Phillip Ray; sister-in-law Peggy Futrelle Nowell; plus a host of nieces and nephews.The family will receive friends at the home of Lucille Ray at 330 College Avenue in Rock Hill from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 27th and also immediately after the service in the Fellowship Hall at Unity Presbyterian Church.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Unity Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1267, Fort Mill, South Carolina 29716.Read Obituary