Billy Bray

Billy Charles Bray, age 83 - passed away peacefully in his home Thursday, June 20, 2024 in Norman, OK.

Bill was born in Geary, Oklahoma on September 26, 1940 to Bill and Reina Bray. Bill was a Realtor in Oklahoma for more than 50 years. He didn’t exactly choose real estate as a career. His working life began in the military — naval security, to be exact. After honorable discharge, he went to work for a fence company, then Cook’s Paint and later as manager of a Sherwin-Williams Paint store. At about that time, he met Russell Bates, who enlisted his help to remodel a building. Bates observed him showing people around the building and asked him to get a real estate license. Bates even enrolled him in real estate school, and Bray got his license. About that time, he made a big bonus with Sherwin-Williams. “So, they enlarged my territory,” he said, “and I quit.” 

Bray’s friends would often have him list or sell their property, but he didn’t call that working. Finally, his wife said, “Go get a job.” And his friend, Bates, said, “Come pick up your checks.” “What checks?” Bray said. He didn't realize he’d made commissions. Asked why he has stayed in real estate all these years, Bray laughed and said, “A wife and three sons.”

Bill was an avid angler, poker player and reader. He was a single digit handicap golfer, and a very competitive board gamer.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother Bobby Bray.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons and daughter's-in-law; Bill bray and wife Tanya, Greg Bray and wife Miki and Chris Bray and wife Lily; brother Randy and wife Debbie; grandkids, Ashton Bray and wife Lauren, Brandon Bray, Reilly Bray, Lesley Portillo and husband Jose, Lindsey Wegner and Tucker Culver; great grandkids, Peityn Wegner, Autum Portillo and Jaxson Williams and one on the way.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 11 am at Immanuel Baptist Church located at 1777 E. Robinson St. Norman, OK 73071.