Ray McNair

After a years long battle with Parkinson’s and related complications, William Ray Mc-Nair passed away April 5, 2023, peacefully in his sleep.

His last days were spent just where he’d want to be, at home with his loving wife, Judy, who dutifully cared and advocated for him through his final journey.

In his hometown of Utopia, he was known as Billy Ray born Nov. 19, 1945, the only son of Frances (Sis) and (Robert) Burton McNair. He told his children that people knew him as a mischievous youth, once recreating a chemistry experiment in the Sabinal, causing a pretty spectacular explosion. But from the tales he told of his beloved cousins and friends, we knew he was a loyal and fun best friend to many. Later he was known as William to honor his heritage, as his family was so important to him.

After high school, he joined the Marines and went off to Vietnam, where he made lifelong friends. Upon his return to The States, he started a family and a career in engineering where his intense intelligence became apparent. He shined as a leader through the years and became the guy everyone wanted to work for. When he saw potential in someone, he would help them shine, and that desire to see people thrive eventually got him to his final career – a licensed social worker helping homeless veterans. That was retirement for him – helping men like himself that had served our country get the help they needed and deserved.

Bill is survived by his wife Judy; his children, Ryan McNair, Amanda Nelson and Molly McNair; grandchildren Wesley, Lorien and Christian McNair, Katharine Frances, Scarlett and Parker Nelson; his great-grandchildren, Shay and Gavin; stepchildren Calub, Ashley and Whitney and husband James Cuevas and their children Elijah and Lucy; and stepgranddaughter Haley Butler and her daughter Alaina Baker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Burton and Frances (Sis) McNair, and his grandparents William Ray McNair and Paul and Katharine Redden of Utopia and Joseph and Anna Merka of Bryan.