Some knew him as “Shorty” but I called him Mr. Ray. William Ray Bevill was one of twelve children born to Lonnie and Jeannie Mae Bevill. He was born in Calhoun County, October 18, 1936, a time when some felt it was more important for children to contribute to the family income than to continue education. Ray’s formal education ended with the third grade. He never mastered reading and writing, and it was a deficit he regretted. He often came by the office during my son’s homeschool sessions, and Ray would say, “Learn your lessons so you won’t end up like me.”
Ray stopped growing “up” at a height of about 5ft 4in – thus the nick-name “Shorty.” His short stature, a speech impediment which made him difficult to understand, and his humble childhood left Ray with a spirited nature, quick to defend his honor even if it meant resorting to blows. He learned early that any success he would achieve in life would be earned with great difficulty and hard work. And, work hard he did. Ray got a factory job early in life, and eventually retired from MPI in Houston. After retirement he continued working seasonally as a farmhand. He knew the value of earning a living by the sweat of his brow.
Ray enjoyed the money he earned. He drove a nice pick-up truck that he proudly kept cleaned and polished. Following Friday paydays for farm hands, Ray was known to flash rolls of cash around town proving to others he could pay his way. However, not everyone had Ray’s best interest at heart. He was involved in a few brawls over the years, and on more than one occasion had money stolen by unscrupulous characters.
I met Ray when his beloved wife, Sarah, passed away in 1996. She became ill, had surgery, developed complications and was gone before Ray had the chance to fully process what was happening. Sarah had been the one to keep the family finances and business organized. They had no children and with Sarah gone Ray was lonely. The days and weeks following Sarah’s death found him idling at the funeral home, just to have someone to talk to. His monthly visits to pay his insurance premium became weekly visits.
He often had me sort and read his mail to him. Ray thought it a great joke to “file” his junk mail into “file 13” – the trashcan. He also had me make phone calls for him. Ray was very conscious of the fact that people had trouble understanding him, especially on the phone. So I scheduled doctor appointments, interceded for him on insurance calls and other business that required him to talk on the phone. We teased that I was his personal secretary; and over the years, we became friends.
Ray was well known in town. He often sat outside the local Walmart watching people, and that is where he was last seen the weekend before his death. When he didn’t make it to church Sunday, and family members couldn’t reach him Monday morning the police were notified to check on Ray. He was found in his home, brutally stabbed to death. Ray had obviously resisted the attack, but Shorty was no match for his assailant.
From all appearances Ray interrupted a burglary of his home. In the struggle that ensued, Ray was stabbed and killed. Two months after his death, Mitchell Gregory was arrested and charged with capital murder. By the time a trial was set Gregory pled guilty and avoided the possibility of the death penalty. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Ray’s life was cut short by senseless violence. And more than one life was destroyed in the violence. Ray was taken from his friends far too soon. A 32 year old, Mitchell Gregory, has been locked away for life. The Gregory family has been left to endure the loss of their loved one, the stigma of having a criminal in the family, the sorrow of knowing their loved one took a life.
Ray left no children, and he was the last sibling of his family; but he left nieces and nephews behind, and his church family at Faith Bible. And, Ray left behind many friends. He was a sociable, pleasant man, who lived a simple life, but his death has left a big void in our community.
Author: Renee Davis, is a wife, mother, Registered Nurse, and a dedicated Funeral Director/Embalmer. She owns and operates Southern Funeral Chapel, Inc. in Houston, MS with her father, and becomes much too emotionally involved with the people she serves.