BILLY RAY TRATREE

Billy Ray Tratree, 70, of Forest Glade, entered into rest Feb. 22, 2022, in Mexia. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Mexia High School Auditorium. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service, starting at noon. A private family burial with military honors will be held afterward.

Billy Ray Tratree was born Dec. 18, 1951, in Texarkana. His siblings are Margaret Goodlow, Anthony Pointer and Janet Pointer. At a very young age he moved to Paducah, where he was raised by parents Luther and Lula Lee. He attended school, played football, basketball, ran track, and graduated high school in Paducah. He married his high school sweetheart Cynthia Nickerson, and shortly after graduating high school, he joined the military. He was stationed in Germany and eventually brought his family (Cynthia, RaeAnn and Billy Jr.) overseas with him. Ray and Cynthia’s youngest son, Spencer, was born in Augsburg, Germany.

After serving honorably in the Army, Ray and Cynthia came back to Texas. Ray worked in the oil pipeline industry for 24 years in West Texas, and in the Texas Panhandle. He and Cynthia retired in Mexia, where they could see their grandkids grow.

Ray was an honest and faithful man, who loved his wife, kids, family and close friends. He always fought for justice and wanted people to be treated fair and with dignity. While he was in Germany, he got into martial arts, and became a student and master instructor of Kung Fu. He was an extremely loyal, and private person who was passionate about his family and helping people. He was a wise man who read and learned all of the time, and made it his purpose to enhance other people’s lives. He often gave to others freely without expecting anything in return.

Ray was a great handyman, and later in life became an excellent gardener. His property became his sanctuary, as he and Cynthia grew vegetables all over the property. He was a big fan of westerns and movies in general. He also had a love for music. There was seldom a time he didn’t have music playing and people dancing. He will always be remembered by his infectious laugh! It just made you feel good! Ray was preceded in death by Luther and Lula Lee.

Ray is survived by those who love him dearly: his loving wife, Cynthia, of 51 years; his children, Cynthia RaeAnn Boyd (Bobby), Billy Ray Tratree Jr. (Jennifer), and Master Spencer Ray Tratree; grandchildren, Jordan Boyd, Bronson Boyd, Bailey Boyd, Noah Tratree, Nash Tratree, Nike Tratree, Zachary Gunter, Jordan Tratree, Riley Tratree, Tyree Haynes, Dontavious Haynes, Christopher Haynes, Ethan Haynes; and special nephew, Barry Johnson. Ray is also survived by a host of other extended family and friends who love him.