Born June 14, 1923, in Lead Hill, Ark. James Ray Parsley, the son of James Monroe Parsley and Willa Bryant Stone Parsley, was born June 14, 1923, in Lead Hill, Ark., and departed this life Dec. 21, 2005, at the age of 82.
Ray was a resident of Ava since 1952. He served his country during World War II with the U.S. Navy. Ray Parsley and Virginia Hensley were united in marriage Feb. 22, 1950, in Viola, Ark. They were blessed with a son, James Ray Parsley Jr.
Ray was employed with the University of Missouri Extension for 35 years as a livestock specialist in Douglas, Ozark and Wright counties. He was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church and attended Ava General Baptist Church. He had been active in Ava Kiwanis and American Legion. Ray was an outdoorsman and he loved fishing.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of the home, Ava; his son, James Ray Parsley Jr., Columbia; one sister, Yvonne Featherston, Paris, Ark.; one nephew; two nieces; and a host of friends.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating. Interment was in the Ava Cemetery with graveside services conducted by American Legion Post 112 and VFW Post 5993.
