Sad Day for the Lone Star Boat Racing Association

[ferv888ipba]

Joe had it right. A lot of people around the country probably didn't know Ray. He was never a front runner, but in Texas he was consistent and did accomplish some high point victories. Ray was what "old timers" would call "salt of the earth". That saying is old timey and long forgotten, but it means that Ray Yates was of solid stone when it comes to humanity. You could depend upon Ray no matter what the circumstance.


Wayne,
The comment above tells me how much your friendship meant to you and I am sure Ray. Your rememberence of him was not for what he did on the race course, but for who he was as a person. That will long outlive what any of us do in terms of our racing accomplishments, but who he was will live forever in our hearts.

Thanks again,
Ray

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Your comment says that you knew him well Ray. Salt of the earth is one of the very statements I made to Joe when he called me with the news, and Joe agreed. Ray sold Utitlity truck trailers. He would occasionally travel to the valley or Laredo and he never failed to stop to visit with my Dad and me. In fact, he timed his trip to do just that so he knew we would be there.

[geodavid]

I am honored to be among Ray's many, many friends. A wonderful father, husband and friend. Great to hear the stories about Ray. Ray and Baldy always treated everyone with an outstretched hand. Expressing their friendship. Ray always made racing in Texas great fun. The stories and thoughts will be in hearts and minds always. Deepest sympathy to "Little Ray" and the family. We miss you Ray....
Alan Ishii

[jrome]

Rosewood Funeral Home
3939 Pasadena Blvd
Pasadena, TX 770503
713-920-2171

2:00 P.M.

No flowers please. If you wish, you may send a donation to the Cancer Association of your choice.

Thank you.

[Glyn mathews]

for those that didn't know Ray he was very special , his love for the sport and drivers was felt every time we would drive in the gate at Baytown Boat Club . He will be missed by us local racers.

[jrome]

Lone Star Boat Racing Association lost a good supporter yesterday. Louis started driving boats in 1946 and not only did he drive, he was in charge of the Neches River Festival Boat Racing for over 25 years. Under his watch, we had a lot of successful races. I lost a very good friend. I hope that he likes "Lake Paradise".

You will find his obit below and here is the link to it:

http://broussards1889.com/services.a...id=8018&locid=



Obituary
Louis M. Williams, Jr.
January 12, 1930 - September 12, 2011
Louis M. Williams, Jr., 81, of Beaumont, died Monday, September 12, 2011. A native and lifelong resident of Beaumont, Louis was born January 12, 1930, to Nell Mae Brown and Louis Matthew Williams, Sr.

Louis attended Beaumont High School and was a graduate of both Lamar Institute of Technology and Commonwealth College of Mortuary Science; he was also a United States Navy Veteran. He and his late brother Wallace were partners in L.M. Williams and Sons Funeral Directors and Williams Ambulance Service; companies founded by their father in 1942. A former world champion outboard-motor boat racer, Louis served as chairman of the boat racing program of the Neches River Festival for more than 20 years before eventually becoming the festival's community events coordinator. He was a fifty year member of Tolerance Lodge 1165 AF & AM and the El Mina Shrine.

His stepson, Randolph Thomas Roane; niece, Anne E. Williams-Schrang; and brother and parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Reed Williams; son, Louis Matthew Williams III and his wife, Andrea and their children, Louis Wilson Williams and John Randolph Williams; three stepsons and their families: William Arthur Roane and his wife, Sally and their children, William Thomas Roane and Jed Arthur Roane and their grand-child, Abigaile Jourdan Roane; James Fant Roane II and his wife Dena; Stephen Christopher Roane and his wife, Rachael and their children, Terrell Christopher Roane, Cameron Cunningham Low Roane, Connor Gilbert Roane, Mary Margaret Roane, and Catherine Callie Roane; sister-in-law, Nell Florey Williams; nephew, Wallace D. Williams, Jr.; cousins, Sassy Soper and Margaret Sample and her husband, Don; and grand-dog, Bumper T. Williams.

His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with a graveside service to follow at 4:00 p.m. in Magnolia Cemetery, under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A gathering of his family and friends will follow his service in the Cloister Room at the church.

[jrome]

Louis Williams in 14T

[geodavid]

Joe, Thank you for the wonderful tribute to our friend. Louis will be missed.
Indeed a sad day for boat racing.

[tahawk]

what a great man. we will all miss you louis.thanks for the great memories.

[gearbox49m1]

There has never been or will never be anyone quite like Louis. He will be missed. He could do things in a runabout that seemed impossible, and he made it look easy. We lost one of the legends of Lone Star.